Inez's Cold Hardy Hibiscus

“My grandmother had an enormous yard,” says Maggie Slifer of Newton, Iowa. “It didn’t have the typical veggie garden, but a haven of beautiful flowers.” Inez E Cantrell (1928-2017) had this cold hardy hibiscus growing on the fence line of her yard in Des Moines for over two decades. Maggie has been growing the variety along one side of her house since Inez’s passing. “I’m thrilled that I could save it for others to enjoy. It seems like an appropriate way to honor my grandmother’s love of her yard, flowers, and many Saturday hours with her in that yard. It is one of the warmest memories I have of my childhood.” Maggie donated this variety to SSE in 2023.