Early in the summer, I was sent a press release that caused one of those "holy wow!" moments. The headline said it all: "Proven Winners ColorChoice expands catalog with the addition of Hollywood Hibiscus." I had already become familiar with the Hollywood Hibiscus series and was thrilled that Proven Winners was adding this to its lineup.
Even more so is the fact that this is a new partnership with an old friend of mine, Jim Berry. Jim and I had become friends when he was in Alabama and I was with Mississippi State University. He was a good friend to university trial programs everywhere.
I went east to Georgia, and Jim went west. I have stayed up with his operation in Grand Saline, Texas. Proven Winners ColorChoice says J Berry Nursery is a renowned breeder of breakthrough plants, committed to bringing unique and extraordinary varieties to the market like the Hollywood Hibiscus varieties and the subject of this week's column, one named America's Sweetheart.
When Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs asked if I wanted to give some a try, I jumped at the opportunity. One of the varieties I received was Hollywood Hibiscus America's Sweetheart. I am historically not a pink guy, but this lady has swept me off my feet.
It is nothing short of beautiful and exhibits prolific flower production. The flowers show three distinct colors, deep red in the very center, then the majority, which is a rich rose pink with lighter pink to white along the margins. It is a tropical variety, cold hardy in.