Hibiscus: This was too die for, a must must must have., 1 by ardesia

ardesia wrote:
They are monsters. One year I tried to keep one of mine smaller by repeatedly pruning it back by half. I cut it back once a month throughout the growing season until it set buds. Wouldn't you know that plant then grew like it was on steroids and by the time the buds opened it was as large as if I had not cut it back. I was rewarded with many more branches and flowers, but it was still too large for the spot it was in so I started new plants for different locations and had to destroy the big one. They are deciduous and leave a huge bare spot during the cooler months.
This is a photo of a 2 yr. old planted in partial shade. It has not received any supplimental water or food; nor have I pruned it back so it is kind of leggy. It is over 9' tall, not including that rogue branch that is growing up through the Live Oak.