topic Re: Is Bigger really Better? in Garden

Is Bigger really Better?

Icegoddess — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 17:12:56 GMT

Watching the L&P Hardy Giant Hibiscus presentation and wondering if giant blooms are really desirable. I would rather have a plant coverd with smaller blooms than these dinner-plate sized blooms. I know, it's a personal preference thing.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

GingerPeach — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 17:46:17 GMT

I feel the same way, @Icegoddess

I love smaller dahlias but they are harder to find than the very tall, large-bloom versions.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

kitcat51 — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 17:58:53 GMT

I prefer smaller blooms...but think the most interesting flower gardens have all sizes.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

BlueFinch — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 17:59:02 GMT

I have one of these Mallow plants, that's lived in a giant 30" pot, since given to me by my dad before he died over 20 years ago. No joke!

It freezes down to the dirt, but comes back in the spring, normally blooming for my birthday in May. It's like a happy birthday from my dad, every year.

If I make sure to give it some hibiscus food, it is spectacular. I can have as many as ten plate sized blooms, at one time. It's a showstopper.

I love my typical hibiscus plants, as well, but when side-by-side, there's no comparison, when the Mallow is in its glory.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

Foxxee — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 02:27:24 GMT

The larger blooms are stunning. I have some around 10 inches. Very showy. Looking for larger.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

JustJazzmom — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:58:51 GMT

@BlueFinch Sounds like you have a perennial hibiscus or rose mallow. That plant is one of the last perennials to come up. In fact mine are so tall (between 5 - 7') they need staking of the stems. I use green plastic stakes so they blend in to the stems so to speak.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

PA Mom-mom — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 22:18:33 GMT

@Icegoddess I think there are applications for both sizes. Several years ago I bought the dinner plate size from QVC and tried them on one side of the house and was not impressed. Then, I put them in front of the chimney. They look great there. Plus, they seem to stare at me when I'm on the patio! Yikes!

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

Icegoddess — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 23:00:08 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@Icegoddess I think there are applications for both sizes. Several years ago I bought the dinner plate size from QVC and tried them on one side of the house and was not impressed. Then, I put them in front of the chimney. They look great there. Plus, they seem to stare at me when I'm on the patio! Yikes!

@PA Mom-mom now I'm wondering which is worse, having your flowers stare at you or birds stalking you.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

BlueFinch — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:14:06 GMT

@JustJazzmom Yes, it's often referred to as a 'Rose Mallow,' but at my location they're commonly known as the Texas Mallow. When mine is in full foliage, and bloom, it's a little over 4' tall. In my warmer TX location, mine comes up early. It's already about 2 1/2' x 2 1/2' and looking good. Won't be long until I have blooms again.

The plate sized flowers look much like the 'giant hibiscus' offered on the Q. I don't recall them described as perennial, but I suspect they're in the 'mallow' family, too.

Glad to hear you've had one to enjoy, too. It sounds wonderful. They are a treasure that keeps on giving. I can't recomment them more, for what they give back.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

BlueFinch — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:17:11 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@Icegoddess I think there are applications for both sizes. Several years ago I bought the dinner plate size from QVC and tried them on one side of the house and was not impressed. Then, I put them in front of the chimney. They look great there. Plus, they seem to stare at me when I'm on the patio! Yikes!

Lol, you're fine, as long as they don't start talking to you. If that happens, I'd get it checked out .

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

millieshops — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:26:46 GMT

When I had a bigger yard, a big plant with big flowers would have fit right in.

I do have a planting strip inside my screened lanai, but anything too big would definitely be out of place.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

ValuSkr — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:41:32 GMT

I agree with the OP. There may be places where these bushy plants with dinner-plate blooms look appropriate, but in front of a typical suburban home isn't one of them. Bigger isn't always better; these are just too showy. They look clownish - like a clown collar.

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

JustJazzmom — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:58:25 GMT

I have 2 rose mallows -- 'Lord Baltimore' & 'Lady Baltimore'. I saw 'Lord Baltimore' many years ago at Longwood Gardens and the plants in front of them were being used as the trellis.

Mine are in 2 corners of my backyard.

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=248556&isprofile=0&

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/hibiscus-ballet-lady-baltimore

Re: Is Bigger really Better?

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 19:43:12 GMT

@BlueFinch wrote:
@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@Icegoddess I think there are applications for both sizes. Several years ago I bought the dinner plate size from QVC and tried them on one side of the house and was not impressed. Then, I put them in front of the chimney. They look great there. Plus, they seem to stare at me when I'm on the patio! Yikes!
Lol, you're fine, as long as they don't start talking to you. If that happens, I'd get it checked out .

@BlueFinch No, they were not talking to me. I know, because I was listening to them! Hahaha!