I just receive a hibiscus plant as an end of year gift from one of my students. Since I have not had a hibiscus plant before I pulled out the two gardening books I have in my library and looked up a little about them. I then discussed some options with my husband. I think we have figured out the best spot, which is empty due to a dogwood that succumbed to some sort of disease a couple years ago. It seems these plants need sun and moisture, so hopefully the front yard with some drainage from the gutter will help it thrive.
I am not positive which variety of hibiscus we have since the one bloom on it closed up last night, just before my student brought it in today, so I look forward to seeing the bud on top opening up soon. (I found the photograph above in the wikipedia commons area.)
UPDATE: After looking for some other photographs I realize that my parents had a type of hibiscus called a Rose of Sharon (shown above) when I was growing up in West Virginia.
