Those are some nice looking plants. I particularly like how the blue flax looks.

Kara

Hi Hester, I grow the mahoe as a tree. It is at least 15ft tall. Mine reverted back to all green though which made me sad. I think I will cut off all the branches and see what the new growth brings in the spring. It has a nice yellow flower like a hibiscus.

The mahoe will get large, in my area 15' is conservative. It is a real beauty.

Thanks, K and K and K !
I've seen tall ones in my area and plan on mine being huge which is fine for where it is. I would be heartbroken if the leaves reverted to solid green, however...we'll see.
What happens to it in a freeze? And when does it flower and for how long?..I have a chance to get another one and can't decide!
thanks,
H

Mine is flowering now and was on and off all summer. Becareful not to over fertilize it. Mine got fertilizer for the bed it was in (tree and shrub fertilizer) and then again for the grass around it (the roots were under the grass) and I think too much nitrogen made it revert back to all green. I see some new growth now coming back variegated. So that is why I am condering a drastic pruning in the spring.

I'm bumping this up hoping to hear from someone who grows the chinese hat plant. Since I posted these pics, the plant is losing flowers and looking, how shall I say, a little sad? It's been cool here (in the 40's at night) but nothing extraordinary. My nursery tells me "that's what they do and will reflower? True?
thanks,
Hester

as long as it doesn't freeze, i think it will rebound this spring! my whole garden takes a poop in the winter, but come spring....whole different place. hang in there! nice plant!! soil needs to warm up...... love your garden!..m

I have the Chinese hat too, a red one and an orange one. This has been a mild winter so far, so they are blooming, but usually they kind of take a nap in the winter. I am sure yours will come back nicely in the spring. Mine have made it through mild freezing temps with only a little die back. But I don't think I get as cold as you do. The mahoe did fine too, with only some leaf drop.