To begin this introduction, I've always loved plants and flowers. I loved the look of tropical hibiscus, but growing up in Michigan they wouldn't survive the winter and it was harder to keep them indoors for me at the time. My husband and I moved to Florida and it was then I began to purchase them for my outdoor garden. 

 

    I did find a few varieties that weren't typical at local garden centers and that got me curious as to how many varieties there were, as I thought there was only the standard red, pink and yellow.

 

    It was then that I researched tropical hibicus and came across the American Hibiscus Society and International Hibiscus Society facebook pages and I was absolutely blown away by the near infinite number of color and pattern combinations of tropical hibiscus. 

 

    I learned that tropical hibiscus are like people. That when you cross them, each seed has its own unique DNA. They can share similar characteristics of their parents or look like something completely different. Even if the flower color looks identical, the plant itself isn't. 

 

    The only way to get an exact replica of a tropical hibiscus is to take a cutting from the mother plant and try to root it or graft it onto rootstock. I became absolutely enthralled by the hibiscus world.

 

    I was going through so much during this time, from our issues conceiving and then our miscarriage, that finding hibiscus truly helped me. I created a page All 4 A Baby on facebook to help as well and I have a page on this site that goes into that road in more detail. I became obsessed with them and trying to hybridize my own varieites. I fell in love with the idea that every seed is unique just like every person. That for every person there could be their own special plant. 

 

    Through a lot of trial and error (and there still is a lot of that), I was able to create some of my own hybrids. I had about 150 seedlings that started to sprout but then I fell pregnant again and was very sick. I wasn't able to take care of the seedlings at all and just left them outside hoping some would at least make it. 

 

    I lost all of them but 41. They survived complete neglect as I was unable to take care of them at all during the time I was pregnant with my son. After I had my son Audi, I was able to collect the ones that survived and then ordered more varieties (also known as cultivars) to add to my collection. Forewarning, the collection somehow just grows and grows, haha... it can be addicting. 

 

    My original crosses I have no idea who the parents are as I just went crazy pollinating every bloom and didn't keep track of the crosses. We had to move a few times and though I did lose a few of them and lost a few of the original numbered tags, I still have about 28 of those originals. 

 

    It can take anywhere from 1 year to over 4 years from the time you plant that seed until it shows its first flower. I can assure you I am not a patient person. Quite the opposite, if I'm honest. But the excitement and anticipation keeps me going. 

 

    I joined the local American Hibiscus Society Chapter which for me was the Sunset Chapter in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you love hibiscus, I HIGHLY recommend looking into them as you can participate in shows and plant sales and meet up with other hibiscus enthusiasts and learn how to care for these gorgeous plants.

 

    All of my original hybrids are all over 4 years and so far only 3 of them have flowered. To be fair, they have been under so much stress, including moving back to michigan and my inability to leave them alone and not take cuttings to propgate them. These are so precious to me I wanted as many copies as possible.

 

    The first one to flower was a pretty peach color that I named New Beginnings to signify the new journey I was on with hibiscus.

 

    The second one to bloom is a beautiful mix of orange yellow and soft pink and I knew immediately I would name that one Phoenix Orion after the baby I misscarried. 

 

    Going through miscarriage is impossibly difficult and so hard as you don't have anything of them, as if they never existed. Being able to name a flower after him, giving him a legacy to show just how significant his impact was on my life, regardless of how short he was here, was so special. 

 

    This is where my vision for Floral Dreams Hibiscus was born. Yes, I want to share the beauty of hibiscus with the world (and also an excuse to add to my collection of plants... I told you it doesn't stop) but ultimately, I want to give everyone the opportunity to be able to name a hibiscus after themselves or loved ones as a living legacy. Something that will carry on and bring a little comfort with its beautiful blooms.

 

    For starters, I will be selling my hybrid plants. As I grow, I will be expanding to have hybrids I created available, where someone can purchase the ability to name it and recieve a copy of the plant. It will be added to my catalog with that name, so that legacy can be spread everywhere and no one is forgotten. 

 

    I have many other plans that are based off this concept, however, that is all in the future. For now, it is very small but I'd rather start now and slowly build up so I make sure I get this dream out there. I cannot even put into words how much peace having my Phoenix Orion plant in my living room brings me. It's as if we have a beautiful reminder of him that stays with us. 

 

 

    If you stuck with me this far, thank you. I hope you enjoy your visit to the site and find something that you love!