Question
Tom,
I live in southern coastal GA & just purchased a "City Girl" Hibiscus. I want to plant it outside. How much sun does it need and how big will it get. I had other hibiscus plants growing for years but some didn't make it through our exceptionally cold winter. Thanks in advance for your help.
Sandy

Answer
Hi Sandy,
Thanx for your question.  I couldn't find 'City Girl' but I'm going to assume it's a cultivar of the tropical hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.  Although your winters are very mild, a killing frost like the one last year, we experienced at my brother's place in Orlando, much farther sound than you, can result in irreversable damage to these plants.  Well-established hibiscus usually make it through some pretty tough winters down where you are but occasionally, Old Man winter is able to take one or more out.  Plant your hibiscus in a bright sunny spot and make sure it's not in a low place where cold air can pool in the winter.  This plant requires full sun for 8 hours or more a day to be at its best.  It requires regular moisture so if you're not getting a good rain once a week give it a good soaking.  Side dress the plants with well-composted manure and stay away from high nitrogen fertilizers which increase green growth at the expense of blooming.  The plants can get 7 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 6-10 feet but more likely they'll behave like a regular shrub.  They are rated hardy to zone 9 and warmer.  I hope this helps.
Tom