Question
Hello,
   Hope this email finds you well. I realize that you are more of a southern plant expert however I thought I would give you a shot.
   I live in Toronto, Ontario Canada where we have all 4 seasons. Right now it is spring almost summer and I ahve just begun purchasing flowering shrubs to start my first ever 'real garden'.
   I purchased the following plants:
   Boxwood Green Mountain
   Braided Hibiscus
   Peking Cotoneaster
   Bristol Ruby (Weigela)
My questions concerning these are: If I put them in my garden will they survive a cold winter and bloom again next spring/summer?
Can I keep a hibiscus inside my home as well?
I really do like the braided hibiscus and I think it would look lovely inside.
I am worried about it at the moment though because it appears to be dying. It has flowered 1 flower a couple of days ago and then closed up the very next day. Also many of the leaves are drying out and falling off or turning yellow.
I thought perhaps it was due to the cold nights so that is why I decided to bring it in the house and that's when it flowered. That day was beautiful and sunny so I put it out to get some sun and brought it in that night and then the flower closed. Can I revive this type of plant? If they cannot survive in the cold (sometime gets as low as -40 c in winter)should I put them in pots and bring them inside in the winter?
    If you have any knowledge on what types of shrubs and perrenials I should plant with my climate please let me know.
I appreciate your oppinion and your help very much and I appologize for the lengthly email.

Thanks,
Trish  

Answer
Actually, I am in Minnesota, so I am farther north than you, there in Toronto. the hibiscus is a house plant, here in the north, so make sure it is inside in the winter, and on cold nights. The other three are shrubs that should do just fine through our winters. the boxwood is usually finicky, but if the area is somewhat protected, it should be just fine (not sitting on top of a wind swept hill). Keep the hibiscus outside in the summer, they love sun. before bringing it in, check it for bugs, and spray with an insecticidal soap to get rid of any. Aphids love them, but an application of insecticidal soap works great to get rid of them, you may need to use two aplications, but it is a natural product, and doesnt hurt the enviroment or plant.

Good luck

mark