Q: Will dinner plate hibiscus survive the winter here? When is the best time to plant them?

A: Dinner plate hibiscus, so-called due to the size of its blossoms, is Hibiscus moscheutos. They are perfectly hardy, growing to a large shrub in summer but dying back to the ground in winter. The giant blooms come in shades and combinations of white, red and pink. ‘Lord Baltimore’ was one of the original varieties; ‘Disco Belle’ and ‘Kopper King’ have been popular in recent years. The best time to plant either seeds or container plants is in spring.