PACIFIC COAST NURSERYMAN AND GARDEN SUPPLY DEALER, N0VEMBER 1999, PAGE 52-53
CALIFORNIA'S HIDDEN VALLEY HIBISCUS DEVELOPS NEW SERIES WHICH FLOURISHES ON COMPACT PLANTS
Hidden Valley Hibiscus is a new series of hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) characterized by compact plant growth, vividly colored flowers in a sophisticated range of hues that can last as long as four days, and saucer-sized blooms with strong petal substance.
"These modern hibiscus are only distant relatives of their ancestors like the red and rangy shrub grown throughout the world," said Charles Black, owner of Hidden Valley Hibiscus, in Topanga, in Southern California. He reports his company is the nation's largest grower and distributor of these new hibiscus series and currently offers 200 varieties.
A further distinction is that Black is the innovator of grafting hibiscus on selected root stock, in a similar method to techniques used for growing hybrid tea roses and citrus.
"Grafting these exotic, modern hibiscus onto good root stock makes the plants grow better, live longer, with flowers that are larger and more profuse than those grown on their own roots," Black explained. "In addition, plant size remains more compact and attractive in both landscapes and containers. They can even be grown indoors in bright, warm rooms."
Plants typically grow from four to eight feet, and remain more compact when grown in containers. Flowers can reach 12-inches, with an average size of 8-inches, depending on the variety. Many of the blooms are multi-hued, in colors of yellow, pink, red, orange, white plus unusual shades of silver, lavender, gray and even brown. White and yellow spots accent many varieties, while others are banded with various colors.
Flower forms include traditional five petaled singles, crested singles, cup and saucer doubles, loose doubles and full doubles. Hidden Valley Hibiscus varieties also bear flowers with stronger petals. This enables them to last from two to four days, depending on the cultivar. The flowers can be picked and enjoyed indoors, without immersing in water, so it's possible to create unusual table decorations with the stunning blooms.
HVH tolerate more shade than garden varieties of hibiscus, and grow best in filtered light but with at least one hour of sunlight daily. They thrive in temperatures of 60 to 90 degrees. These are tropical plants and will not survive temperatures below 30 degrees. However, their compact size means that gardeners can protect them from damaging frost by covering or moving them into a warm location.
Plants are sold in container sizes ranging from 6- inch through two- or five gallon containers.
The top 12 HVH varieties include: 'Amber Suzanne,' with pink and white 8- inch flowers; 'Blue Moon', the closest to a true blue color in hibiscus; 'Byron Metts,' with a pure white flower; 'Dragon's Breath,' a single deep red flower with pure white rays emanating from the center; 'Donna Lynn,' with a single flower to 8-inches in diameter; 'Fifth Dimension,' with unusual gunmetal gray flowers with orange/yellow edge and white rays from the red center; 'High Voltage,' with a pure white flower with satin finish and bright red eye bleeding out into the white body; 'Jazz,' with striking yellow/orange blooms with iridescent band of metallic silver surrounding the eye; 'Rainbow Christie,' a single flower with large dark eye and pink body plus wide white/cream border; 'Red Snapper,' with multi-color cherry red and white double flowers; 'Silver Memories' with unique silver and cream blooms; and 'The Path,' a striking single yellow flower with exceptionally large magenta eye.
Hidden Valley Hibiscus was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Topanga, in the San Fernando Valley. it operates three acres of greenhouse space in Escondido (North San Diego County), and ships container-grown plants throughout the U.S. and internationally. In 1999, HVH shipped. 50,000 plants to commercial growers for finishing and distribution throughout the U.S. Production is anticipated to double each year for the next five years, under the leadership of Charles Black.
His fascination with hibiscus began while in lived in Hawaii. He holds a BA degree from Princeton University, and has had a varied career that included teaching, marketing and business consulting. Black combined his business skills with self-taught horticultural knowledge developed while propagating tropical plants, flowering houseplants and herbs. Since 1994 he has concentrated on hibiscus, perfecting a unique hibiscus grafting method that improves plant performance as well as simplifies their production.
For more details, check out the HVH website at www.exotic-hibiscus.com, or contact Hidden Valley Hibiscus, P0 Box 1312, Topanga, CA 90290. (310) 455-7284; fax (310) 455-4225; E-mail: cblack@exotic-hibiscus.com.