We have begun a program of importing hibiscus crosses done by collectors and experimenters overseas. As these grow up to a certain size, they begin to flower for the first time. A few have done just that for us so far. We give them tentative names, and if they continue to do well in trials over the period of a year or two, then we will propagate them for sale. For example, here's one of them that we are calling 'Louis XIV' after the Sun King. We will use this page to introduce new flowers to you as we continue with this program. We welcome any feedback on these images. By the way, do click on the thumbnail images, and they'll pop up in a better size for viewing.

My first seed imports were from Bob Carran in Florida. The first to flower
were crosses of "Mini Skirt" with "Wedding Day".
There was a soft pink, nicely ruffled one, so that became referred
to as "The Gartered Bride". Next from this cross was one with an
edgy gold on a much bigger (up to 25cm across) flower.
That was "Golden Garter".

By Spring of 2008 another six seedlings had bloomed. Here are two of them. Their working names are "Blue Blush" and "Dusky Maiden" We are waiting to see how stable the colours are, and how they hold up when they are positioned outside. It'll be quite some time before ones like this are available from our nursery. They have yet to endure a winter outdoors, but the initial sense of their colours make me inclined to keep them.

I have also brought in seeds from cutting edge breeders in Tahiti. I think that some of these are not going to be too happy with our winters, and we will have losses. Here is the first Tahitian-sourced hibiscus seedling to flower for us. We hope it keeps up the good work!

In April of 2009 the next two groups of seedlings began to show us what they could do. Here's one of them, and it's followed by others following in May and June 2009. In order they are 'Golden Lustre', and 'Louis XIV'.

Here are some more from May-June 2009. First up is the gorgeous 'Louis XIV' again. Then...