Yesterday as I was leaving Elk Rapids I spotted this shrub in a neglected planter. The flowers are huge. It looks like a giant hibiscus to me, so that’s what I’ve titled the photos, but I don’t really know. Do you?
The buds, though . . . they look suspiciously like Triffids.
Posted in: Adventures outdoors
Torch Lake Views 
Cindy Lou
August 10, 2010
Beautiful! And hibiscus has my vote!
Gerry
August 12, 2010
Thank you–it is good to feel affirmed.
uphilldowndale
August 10, 2010
Well they don’t grow around here!
Stunning.
Gerry
August 10, 2010
They’re not supposed to grow around here, but this one–and I saw another one right across the road from Sonny’s after I’d posted this!–seems to be flourishing, even in its weedy spot. Global Warming. Triffids. Who knows? Batten the hatches.
P.j. grath
August 10, 2010
Indeed looks like hibiscus. But what is all this triffids talk, and what am I missing?
Gerry
August 10, 2010
It all began back in 2008 when Leslie Smyers took one look at Babs’s sunflower image and asked if I’d read Day of the Triffids. It’s become a little running joke. If you go back to Cue Theremins, you will find links to information about Theremins and Day of the Triffids–and also links to the three earlier posts where the running joke, er, ran.
And I can see that I owe you a cup of coffee and an excellent treat.
California Dreamin
August 10, 2010
The flower sure looks like a Hibiscus flower but the buds don’t look like the Hibiscus Tree/overgrown Bush, we have next door. But, there are a number of different varieties of the Hibiscus.
I love your blog and all the variety of things you come up with to write about.
Gerry
August 10, 2010
Thank you, Bonnie. I am fond of variety myself. When I went googling about to see if I could identify the flower, I found an awful lot of different kinds of Hibiscus/Rose of Sharon/Mallow. None of them looked exactly like this, but I gather Hibiscus is widely hybridized. Who knows what people have managed to breed into it?
Anna
August 10, 2010
Beautiful white hibiscus. Very nice shots!
Gerry
August 11, 2010
Thank you Anna!
Karma
August 11, 2010
I agree, definitely look like hibiscus. I just saw some fiercely blooming hibiscus for sale at the grocery store yesterday, so it seems now is their time.
By the way, I picked up Day of the Triffids at the library yesterday! It will be my next when I finish the book I’m currently reading. Did you ever end up reading it?
Gerry
August 11, 2010
I have not read Day of the Triffids, but I have certainly been having a lot of fun with it. I think the publisher should send me a free copy in return for all the people who’ve learned of it on Torch Lake Views! Maybe I’ll pick one up in Traverse City today . . . if they aren’t all sold out. 🙂
chris
August 11, 2010
It is truly a” hardy hibiscus.”
Come over to my garden and see mine!!!
Gerry
August 11, 2010
I will!!! I’ll take pictures, too.
Gerry
August 11, 2010
PS. Lois Dawson said to me this evening, “I can’t believe you didn’t know that was a hibiscus! You must be a city girl!” “But, but,” I spluttered, “I guessed it was a hibiscus! That should count for something!”