Q: I am a huge hibiscus lover, but I hate the way the tropical ones die at the end of summer. I was thrilled a few years ago when you talked about the Confederate Rose hibiscus. My dad and I finally found one for our yard. Last year it didn’t bloom at all, but this year it’s come into its own.

The flower is beautiful and it looks like we’ll have several more blooms before it’s done.

A: Hibiscus mutabilis is indeed a great shrub for fall.

I’m told that the flowers change color in response to women walking nearby harboring “impure daydreams”.

See three photos below. Watch out!

Flower color in early morning

Flower color after thinking about ex-boyfriend

Flower color after watching “Sex and the City”