I'll let some open in a part shade spot and see if they are more blue.

I wonder, if like blue hydrangeas, there is some soil amendment to help bring out the blue color?

Good question! I hope someone has an idea.

DraDiana said:I wonder, if like blue hydrangeas, there is some soil amendment to help bring out the blue color?

I doubt it. First of all the blue and pink that you see in Hydrangeas is the sepals, not the petals like Hibiscus. The color in flower petals is caused by pigments whereas Hydrangeas it is a chemical reaction the ph similar to litmus paper. The pigments in Hibiscus can react to temperature though, so it's possible that in cooler temperatures these hibiscuses may show more blue.

Would shade possibly make them more blue than the ones grown in the sun?

That's what they claimed, but Hibiscus won't grow in the shade. They need a sunny spot to bloom their best. The soil doesn't change the color either. I like the blue ones even though they are more silvery gray. 'Amaretto' though is a disappointment.

So trying to acidify the soil would make no difference?

No. I don't think it will at all.

My Amaretto came potted in a peat/composted bark mix that I suspect is highly acidic. It is basically pink. However, it has an intriguing tropical-type flower shape, bushy compact plant, is self fertile and is putting out another full round of buds. Like Clint, I see attributes in it that are worth keeping, but don't believe the photo. Orange, it is not.

it isn't even barely remotely, wishfully any where near any shade of orange.
I hope that clears that up!

Mine is putting up new blooms too, and it is very bushy, some of the others I have are more 'leggy' but not in a bad way. I hope it won't look like a huge lumpy wad when it matures and the blooms will be down in the foliage and lost. So far mine has not had many blooms, but some of them have not opened up well and stayed kind of closed up, we did have some clouds though so maybe that is why. I hope it will open up better as it goes.

Even though it is not a unique color whatsoever, it is a pretty plant for what it IS. And that is why I bought it. I planted mine just a couple of weeks ago and I am just sure it has already doubled in size So I hope it doesn't turn into an actual monstrosity.

Will hardy hibiscus bloom if if it only has shade from morning until noon? I am trying to find something for the east side of my house and I am having a time. It has too much sun to be shade and not enough sun to be sunny. I had some things that grew out toward the sun and looked goofy, but the hosta I tried burned up. So I have these odd spots I can't seem to fill to look right.

The two I have in morning shade are not as healthy and don't bloom as much as the ones in full sun.

thank you !

Just bought a magic crystal tropical hibiscus online. Been wanting this one for awhile. Only problem is I am in Florida and it ships from here but ups ground was 17arggghhhh!!! Hope it's a decent sized plant.

I'm trying to figure out why they called this plant 'Amaretto.' It's like the white one called 'New Old Yella' that isn't yellow. They are going to make people doubt their credibility for future plant releases. It's so wrong on so many levels to mislead people this way.