Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

I have cleared out two areas to make room for more hibiscus in the ground here in Orange County in southern California. The first is a half circular area of grass with two large palm trees. The radius of the half circle is 26 feet. Two pictures from before, two during removal, and two today--about half planted with 2 plumeria and 21 hibiscus. The centerpiece plumeria is a grafted tree with ten different cvs.

Erny

The second area is a strip along our driveway about 75' long and 10' wide. Four old fruit trees and a double palm were removed and now is planted with ten plumeria and 19 hibiscus. The plumeria are planted down the center of the strip with a row of hibiscus in front and a row behind for those that like more shade. There is probably room for 10-15 more hibiscus.

That's just absolutely fantastic Erny, its certainly going to keep you busy for the next few years.
You probably don't need advise but if I was you I would not overplant, I think it looks so much better when you see a Hib standing on its own with space all around it, if you can walk around it when its fully grown its going to look awesome.

Awesome. I love seeing wide shots of how everyone displays their plants. Thanks for sharing!

Erny, it looks great.  What lucky neighbors you have who will be enjoying all of your great blooms.  :)

Thanks Denise and Jordan. David, you are right; I find myself fighting the natural tendency to overplant.

Erny

Erny this looks fantastic!  Once all the ground space is gone, then you can start culling which ones do well and which ones you want to replace.  Plus it looks like there is tons of room for potted hibiscus still :)

 Hi Erny you fill me with envy!  How cool to be able to plant them in the ground. To walk around a corner and see them in such a natural state. It looks like you have a lot of room. Time to add to your wish list!
Norm

Really impressive Erny!  All this hard work is going to look just gorgeous down the road.  I look forward to seeing some update shots as your plants grow and grow.

I think my whole property can fit into your front yard - enjoy all the space you have!!!

Farmer D

Ernie, I just got time to examine all these project photos. Very, very nice situation and plan! Looks like you have 2 Mighty Palm trees out front that will go perfectly with the hibiscus beds beneath. Can't wait to see the new plants grow to maturity

Charlie

I have completed most of the planting in the two areas shown above. There are views from all four sides of the 50' diameter half circle area with two large palms. There are 38 hibiscus and two plumeria. The centerpiece is a plumeria that is grafted with 10 different cvs and should be really nice when it is in full bloom with all those different flowers. I think I have room to put another 20 hibiscus in without undue crowding.
The second area is the 75' strip along my driveway. Two views--one from each end. There are 10 plumeria planted in a line down the center and a row of hibiscus on each side of the center line.  I tried to place more shade loving cvs there as they will be shaded by the plumeria as they grow and leaf out.

Fantastic Erny, its going to be a joy watching it all mature.

Here are some updated photos showing the growth of those that I planted in June and later in the summer. Three of the curbside half-circle area and three of the strip running alongside the driveway.

Looking good, Erny. One more long growing season should get them well established. At this stage there is still some danger of setback if the winter is longer or colder than normal. About all you can do is continue to apply Supernova to keep them in growth mode.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie. Do you think spraying with Siupernova twice a week is enough?

Here are some updated photos on the two areas shown above a little over a year after planting. These show the curbside area from the street side and from the house side.

These show the curbside area from the east end and from the west end.

These show the strip along the driveway from each end  and one from the side.

In July of this year I took out the 9 cvs that had formed a hedge in front of my porch for the past ten years. I replanted in mid-July so these new ones have been there about two months.

Erny your entire set up is looking great!  Wow the plants in your street planter have gained some good size since I last saw them.  Even the side planter along the driveway the plants look much better there too.  Very few people anywhere have such a vast spread of exotic hibiscus. 

Great work on your porch planter!  In a few years that is going to be something very special to behold.  And your take on the ruggedness of hibiscus root systems when 10 yrs old and being removed...

I've got to get on down there while the blooming is peaking...

Farmer D

Very, very nice Erny. Cindy and I are hoping to get over to see your garden in the next month or so. It's coming along great!

Charlie