Hollywood, California, USA

This is Darren's Hibiscus Garden in Hollywood. Hibiscus are planted all around the perimeter of his yard. The 'Acapulco Gold' in the front center is only 18 months old, like all these hibiscus in Darren's garden!

This is Darren. He goes by the nickname "Farmer D," and rightfully so! He has a very green thumb, as you can see by the size of his 18-month-old 'Acapulco Gold' hibiscus plant. He is lucky to live in balmy Hollywood, California where temperatures usually stay between winter lows of 40°F (5°C) and summer highs of 90°F (32°C).

Darren began growing hibiscus in April 2010, and bought almost all his hibiscus as baby plants in 4" pots. He grows his baby 4" hibiscus in pots until they are big, strong, and growing vigorously. When they are big enough to plant in the garden, he mixes some potting soil into his natural garden soil to improve water drainage and support the roots of his young hibiscus plants.

Darren uses heavy, regular double-doses of fertilizer, booster, and growth enhancer. This intensive nutritional program, along with Hollywood's mild climate, produces wonderful growth and tons of flowers.

Darren's healthy young hibiscus plants are big, full, bushy, and well-branched!

Darren also regularly sprays his hibiscus plants with growth enhancer to encourage branching so he doesn't have to prune very much. It makes his hibiscus bushes full and lush, with branches everywhere. And of course, more branches mean more flowers, as you can see in his floriferous hibiscus garden.

Darren's yard with exotic hibiscus planted in all the perimeter flower beds

Darren first got interested in hibiscus when he saw them on his vacations in Hawaii. He started taking pictures of hibiscus, along with all the beautiful scenery of the islands. At that time, the flower beds surrounding his yard were full of 30-year-old dogwood hedges that were well past their prime. Darren's fascination with Hawaiian hibiscus turned into a vision of planting the entire perimeter of his yard with exotic hibiscus. He googled hibiscus on the internet, and started his collection less than 2 years ago. Now the perimeter flower beds are all full, and he is starting to think creatively planting hibiscus in other places on his property ~ "the typical hibiscus lover's story," as Darren says!

Darren's 'Chariots of Fire' hibiscus plant blooming like crazy

Darren has over 70 hibiscus plants ~ way too many to show in one webpage! But here are a few samples. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

'Flickering Flame' in Darren's garden

'Black Dream' in Darren's garden

If you would like to see even more of Darren's hibiscus, come on over to the HVH Forum. Darren posts beautiful pictures of his hibiscus and tips about how he grows them all the time! If you can't live in Hollywood, it's fun to look at his pictures and dream!