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Ernest
Posts: 241
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« on: November 27, 2011, 10:38:46 PM » |
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How about some love for Ross Estey--one of the real old veterans. One can make a reasonable case for this being the overall most perfect hibiscus. It grows like a weed but always forms a great bush and puts out a continuous profusion of blooms. The flowers are uniformly large, well-formed and presented upright and fully open. The color is bright coral with shades of salmon and pink. They are cold and heat tolerant and seemingly impervious to all the common pests and diseases. With the ease of culture, great growth habit, and year long profusion of blooms it is the perfect starter hibiscus to recommend to someone who expresses an interest in growing these plants.
The plant shown below is not mine but one I found growing in a yard near my home. It is the largest hibiscus I have seen and seems much larger in person than it appears in the photos. It fills a space about 10' X 7' and is about 12' tall.
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2011, 11:14:03 AM » |
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Very Nice Earnest! My Grandma had a huge Ross Estey behind her apartment but they pulled it out, and have replaced it with nothing and you can now see the apartments behind it... Poor planing to say the least!
Thanks for showing this one, its a really nice CV, and apparently has greater cold tolerance than other CVs.
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Charlie
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« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2011, 05:24:55 AM » |
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Great photos, Ernest!
Ross Estey is considered the best variety that came out of the hibiscus hybridizing program of Ross Gast in the 1950's and 1960's. Ross's express goal was to hybridize hibiscus that would do well in the landscape in California. His record books of crosses made over a 10 year period are still housed at the San Diego Arboretum. Ross donated plants to both the Los Angeles Arboretum and the San Diego Arboretum back in the 1960's. Unfortunately, only a few of them are still to be found.
I'm not sure what company propagates Ross Estey and distributes it for sale because it is rarely found in garden centers these days. I've had a couple of them over the years but do not have one any longer. If anyone comes up with one or some wood of one that they are willing to share with me I will propagate it and try to get it out there to people.
Charlie
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blupit007
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« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2011, 06:36:31 AM » |
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Oh Man Erny! That is some bush! I am impressed. Thanks for snapping some photos for us all to see!
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-Kristen
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 1102
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2011, 05:25:23 PM » |
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Yeah that is really fantastic pics you posted Erny. Now we can see what long term in ground hybridized CVs can do.
I got money that says that many of the HVH CVs can eventually do the same. I know the online store usually says 6ft for most but I bet over time the more vigorous ones will be like that Ross Estey.
Check out the bloom count on that mature beauty. I bet the owner does nothing to it and it just does it's thing. I can't wait for that day!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pretty good hummingbird attractor too I bet.
Farmer D
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blupit007
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« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2011, 08:56:57 PM » |
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Darren, if your hibiscus become as big as this, you wont be able to find your front door! lol! love it! Really sweet shots of your yard in the daily pics today.
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-Kristen
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Ernest
Posts: 241
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« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2011, 09:43:06 PM » |
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Darren, I think you are right. In fact given the growth your comparison photos demonstrated over this summer, you may have some 10 footers by next summer!
Charlie, I picked up three of these this summer at two local nurseries. I put all three in the ground and they have almost doubled in size since July so I will have plenty of material for cuttings. I'll look for another to keep in a pot for you. You can pick it up if you are in the area or I can bring it to the first Open House next year.
Erny
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Nievesgirl
Posts: 938
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« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2012, 12:55:28 PM » |
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I have big Ross Estey down the street from me. Its a really nice plant !
If you find more Erny lmk I would like one as well.
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~Kerry~
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Ernest
Posts: 241
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« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2012, 02:48:35 PM » |
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I'll be on the lookout for one and have it for you when you come down.
Erny
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