Gardeners, did you notice the difference in the light this past week? The days are officially getting longer now, and while the mornings are still dark when our alarm goes off, there is definitely a difference at the end of the day. Some of these mild days almost have a feeling of spring, don't they! I don't know about you, but I am concerned about our perennials: without much snow cover, and these mild temperatures, I don't know how the plants are faring. Let's hope they're sleeping soundly and not thinking that spring has arrived.
Some dear friends of ours will be heading to Hawaii soon. Just hearing them talk about their travel plans takes me back to our trip there last year, and how absolutely lush and fragrant everything was in that beautiful paradise. I was taking pictures at every turn. One of the plants that especially caught my attention was the elegant hibiscus.
What flower speaks of Hawaii more than the hibiscus? While other native Hawaiian plants are known for their fragrance (the plumeria) or their exotic beauty (the bird of paradise), the hibiscus combines the color and the show to make a great addition to our houseplants. The hibiscus is a tropical plant, but we can grow it here as a houseplant, and last summer I saw some large hibiscus plants trimmed into standards (small tree shapes) in outdoor planters and they looked stunning. If you already have a hibiscus and it is getting a little shaggy, don't be afraid to trim it back. It will grow back just fine. And if it is a larger plant, you might want to try forming it into a topiary shape; that would be an exciting addition to your outdoor potted plants this summer!
If the hibiscus is a plant that you have always admired, don't be afraid of it! It is not a difficult plant to grow, so treat yourself and get one to enjoy. Keep in mind that it likes a sunny location, but keep it away from chilly drafts. Be sure to water your hibiscus well; it does not like to have wet feet, so let the water run through and drain well. Hibiscus comes in a variety of colors: red, yellow, tangerine and pink; it will bloom readily if you give it a little extra boost with some fertilizer. The flowers don't last long, and are as beautiful and fleeting as a Hawaiian sunset, but some fertilizer meant especially for blooming plants will keep new blossoms coming.
Till you and I can go to Hawaii to enjoy the heavenly hibiscus in its natural setting, we can still enjoy the plant indoors, right here!
The next meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be on Wednesday, February 15 in the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street. Guests are always welcome at the meetings, you don't have to be a member to come out and hear our interesting speakers. And if you're thinking of joining the group, you don't have to come to every meeting. We have gardeners at all levels of expertise, and gardeners with all sizes of gardens, from flower-pot size to acres. And some of our gardeners don't have a garden at all, but just have an enthusiastic interest in plants and horticulture. So as you can see, it's easy to fit in with our wonderful group! So mark that date down and try to join us!
Till next time, have a good week, and treat yourself to a new houseplant or bouquet of flowers, just to enjoy the miracle of something beautiful in the middle of winter
