Hibiscus Bud

Hibiscus Bud Originally uploaded by mellowkitty.

I've begun the Fall chore of bringing in the tender plants that have been blooming in the garden all summer. Although most experts recommend a ruthless cutting back of hibiscus and geraniums before bringing them in, I never have the heart to do this, as they tend to still be full of promise, like this hibiscus here. I usually wait until they're long and stringy before I do that. They don't seem to suffer from the extended blooming period. I would certainly suffer from not having plants in flower to see me through the gardenless Winter months.