Sorry, Tom, I missed that. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is In the same family, but is a bit different from Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos).
Two of my trees:

My dad's Rose of Sharon in Vermont and the one in our old yard in Massachusetts, grew into nice sized shrubs. They never go away in the winter. They should work in Wisconsin.

My Rose of Sharon never die back. Just behave like all other trees - drop their leaves late fall (Nov.) and start with new leaves in about March.

And hardy hibiscus do die back

I was thinking of the hardy one that has dinner plate sized blooms. I also have a rose of sharon that I just got this year to replace one of the two that died last winter. Guess they couldn't take the minus 22 degree days. I have a seedling from one of my old ones that I've got potted, and will plant soon as well.

This is my new one.

This one died last winter, picture from last year. It was about 9 feet tall.

Beautiful

I had a hard time choosing between this one and a single new one that was also pink but was ruffly. I took this one as it was bigger. Cost a bit more, but I liked it. Hope it doesn't die this winter. I've had them for a long time, and this was the first time I lost any to winter.

Were they any new seedlings that came up from the one you lost? Mine have offspring popping up all over the place. Every year I have to pull a lot of extra starts.

I just got Rose of Sharon seedlings from my dad's house in Vermont. Maybe some straw or leaves around the base would keep them warm a bit.

Last winter was too cold in Southern Maine too. Many annuals that have usually seeded themselves, didn't. One of my kale, turnip and parsnip did fine. The kale that didn't come back had lots of seedlings pop up all around it. I am transferring some food to the sunny garden in the front of the house so I can pick all winter.

Yes Leslie, it's a seedling from the one I lost. Not sure if it will be true to the parent, but we'll see.

There is always that Tom. The bees have crossed my varieties many many times.

Unless I get an unexpected Iris catalogue online, or in the mail, or..........

Good luck to all of you in drought conditions, I hope the rains come soon.
Val.

Val, is the weather typical in your part of the world? How are the irises doing?

Unless it's so "cheap" another $2 or $3's isn't going to matter!!!

Good one, Susan!!

Unless a hypothetical order takes place....

Unless a grower in N.Y. is offering 3 Blueberry Bliss for $13. On ebay.

The grower has some nice iris listed and 100% positive feedback. Looks good!

Bonnie, our weather is as unpredictable as ever. In Melbourne they say you can get 4 seasons in one day and it's true. Just now the temperatures are gradually climbing, hooray! I can work outside without a coat. The irises are doing fine, lots of new growth and increases. Hopefully these will be followed by blooms! We are having a week of dry weather, and Monday promises rain. This will be good as I have just planted a dozen new rhizomes. Spring is almost here !!!!!🎈👍🎈🎈🎈🎈

YAY! It is summer hot here and rain has missed my patch for two months now. This is our planting season. We try to get them in the ground and rooted before the cold weather brings on dormancy. I am sure looking forward to your photos of iris blooms!!!