Re: Urginea, Melianthus, and Hibiscus coccineus

Nan,

I can comment on Hibiscus coccineus, having grown it for quite a few years
now.  It seems to like a lot of sun, even here in the Central Valley where sun
and heat are intense. It has faded away where the direct sun was only a few
hours.  It does like consistent moisture, and tolerates poor drainage well.  I
have had it bloom a little the first year from seed, but really comes into its
own the second and third years. The stalks have grown to nearly 8 ft by the
season's end and the display of flowers begins for us in July some time and
goes into at least most of September.  I have had a lot of people assume it was
(or at least tease a lot about it) marijuana, and I must admit that the first
time I saw it from a distance against the wall of a suburban house my first
thought was "Pretty nervy growing that stuff right out in the open."

It's a great container plant for hot places because you can just keep a saucer
of water filled underneath the pot, and it thrives.  I couldn't predict what
it might do in the alkaline soils of Southern California, as  we have
distinctly acid soils up here in the north.  I have propagated it easily from
tip cuttings as well as seed.  I wouldn't call it a Mediterranean, unless you
are including riparian zones in Mediterranean climates.  All in all an
excellent, gaudy perennial.

Gary Matson    Far northern California  (Sunset zone 9-barely)

Nan Sterman wrote:

> Can anyone help me with culture information on Urginea maritima, Melianthus
> major, and Hibiscus coccineus?  How to plant, where to plant, soil, water,
> sun requirements?  Thanks a bunch
>
> Nan
> **********
> '''''''''''''''''''''''
> Nan Sterman
> San Diego County California
> Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
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