* Oops, sorry, I had comments disabled accidentally, fixed now.* Pictured above is the pistil and stamen of a double peach hibiscus. I had to actually pry open the petals of the flower to get this photo. The Macro world is a wonderful thing. I plan on posting more hibiscus close-up in the coming days. FYI, I had to alter yesterday's image after finding out I was violating Renderosity policy by adding the tiny Photoshop altered image of Christopher Reeve as Superman to my photo. Let me know what you think of the new version...I personally like the original better. :( (click HERE for yesterday's photo) Olympus C-5050 and Photoshop ----- Hibiscus syriacus Family: Malvaceae (mallow family) Common Names: rose-of-Sharon, althea Description: A long blooming, upright, deciduous shrub, 6'-10' high by 3'-5' wide. Its distinctive bright or dark green leaves are arranged alternately with three deep lobes, and are toothed. Flowers may be single or double and bloom in white, blues, purples, and pinks. Some have a pronounced crimson base. They are usually about 3" in diameter and flared, like most mallow flowers. Overall texture of this shrub is coarse. Location: East Asia originally. Now widely distributed around the world; introduced into North America before 1600. Culture: A particularly vigorous and durable shrub, the rose-of-sharon will grow in many soil types, but prefers deep, fertile, well drained situations. Depending on soil quality, may benefit from fertilizing. Cut back hard in spring to control size and encourage larger blooms. Usually grows with no attention at all, and probably does better that way! (from Floridata.com)