Question
I was given a lovely hibiscus in a 8-inch pot as a gift.  After looking it up in a reference book, I see that it is actually a small flowering shrub.  I was hoping to pot it and grow it in a container, as I rent and live in an apt and therefore cannot plant it outdoors.  Advice is much needed.  Thanks in advance

Answer
I Could answer your question more accurately, with more information.
Five species are grown in the West....An annual, a perennial, two diciduous shrubs, and an evergreen shrub.

I will give you information on the H. moscheutos, PERENNIAL HIBISCUS, ROSE MALLOW. It is the most common nursery plant, because of the large showy flowers. I have three of them, that I have been growing in containers for five years, and I still get excited when the ten to twelve inch blooms open up. If they are planted in the ground, they will get from 6 to 8 feet tall. In the container, mine have never been taller then 4 feet. They start blooming around the end of June, and continue until fall. The first blooms are the largest.
The plants go dormant in the winter, but the dead stems will remain. These dead stems are important because, the large flowers are heavy and will bend and break the young stems, if not supported, so I leave some of the tough, old stems on the plant year around for a natural support.

They need full sun. They don't like to be too hot however. Try to protect them from the afternoon heat, but still give them bright light. They will wilt easily. But will come back if you water soon enough. Try to shade the pots from the sun, to keep the soil cool. I water mine more then most of the plants in my collection.
Pot them in fresh soil every spring. Try to get a soil that has time release fertilizer and moisture control.

This is my busy time of year, but I wanted to help you with your question. Now I am off to work again.

bakerplanter