This years spiel on the summer rose substitutes is up. Hibiscus syriacus 'Rose of Sharon' bush might be the most maintainence-free source of large summer blooms in this climate.

Nice article on the Althea. They are really wonderful and virtually care free plants for this climate.

And for some GF gossip. Terry, you mentioned last year that Alan and Tommie had an on-camera set to. We just now saw that one - thank goodness, its been a long wait to see if it all ended well,,, Glad to see they kissed and made up

Wouldn't mind an off camera set to with Alan. No doubt Terry feels the same way about Charlie!

More from your never ending knowledge Maggie. Must ask is that a Lavatera in the mixed bunch, the one with the dark centre and pink outer?
I think a set to with Charlie may be more than I could handle, she is a strong girl.

They sure do look a lot alike Terry. The two are both in the Malvaceae family, but classified in sep genus.
Hibiscus syriacus blooms are generally around 3"
The one you ask about in the bouquet is the species H. syriacus. I saw Allan use the hybrid 'Bluebird' of it in a GR program - the milk float one. Think it was in Devon or there abouts. He put it in a pot on the sheltered sunny terrace. I have also seen it growing in the ground in UK at Mottisfont rose garden. It was conveniently labeled with the 'Bluebird' name.
I have never seen Lavatera for sale around here, altho they could prob take our winters, some being native to the so of France. I would be interested to see if they could tolerate our extra hot summers. The curiosity never ends!