Hibiscus Society: Popular plant show set for Sunday
Sunday brings Southwest Florida a rare opportunity to obtain colorful hibiscus plants not generally available during the James E. Hendry Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society’s annual hybrid hibiscus plant sale.
Doors open promptly at 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 10291 McGregor Blvd., in Fort Myers. The sale concludes at 4 p.m.
“We always sell out the plants,” said organizer Wanda Schmoyer. “We will have 450 special hybrid plants in 40 beautiful varieties. These plants are not available at places like Lowe’s or Home Depot. These are unique plants. It’s a chance to get a hybrid that is not the garden variety you see everywhere.”
Even though this is a plant sale only, club members will be on hand to answer questions and share tips for proper care of the hybrid hibiscus. The chapter also conducts a show and sale once a year in the spring.
“We give everyone a care sheet and a free pot to take home,” said Schmoyer. “All they really need to grow is water, sun and fertilizer.”
The hybrids are priced at $15 for small ones and $25 for larger ones. Members receive a discount and anyone who joins the club at the event and pays the $40 annual dues also receives the discount.
Plants are provided by Big Bad Flower of Sarasota. These plants are grown on their own roots and are easy to maintain. Some blooms will grow to over eight inches and a myriad of rainbow colors.
Plants available are Bayou Rose, Beau Vie, Blackberry Jam, Black Dragon, Cajun Princess, Cajun Starburst, Chartreuse Rose, Connie Roush, Dark Princess, Delta Dawn, Dixieland Delight, Erin Rachel, Foxy Lady, Gator Pride, Imperial Dragon, In Love Again, Mango Moon, Marianne Charlton, Masked Bandit, Moondance, Nectar Pink, Night Runner, Orange Cappuccino, Persimmon, Pink on the Mountain, Queen of Dreams, Red Bird, Rim of Fire, Saffron Sun, Sgt. Seth Trahan, So Fine, Space Oditty, Sweetie, Sweet Pink, T. Miss Teenager, T. Taui, Tsunami, Voila, Whipped Cream and Zydeco.
“We have posters of photos of every plant outside the doors that people in line can look at to choose their favorites,” said Schmoyer. “When they get inside they can go right to it then get in line to pay for the plants.”
Books on the subject will be for sale as well along with pruning shears and fertilizer. Admission and parking are free.
The society meets at the Berne Davis Gardens, 2166 Virginia Ave., Fort Myers, at 1:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Anyone interested is invited to attend the next meeting on Jan. 8.
For more information visit www.hendrychapterahs.com.