Roselle Thai Red

Also known as Florida cranberry. Tastes just like it but comes in the form of a hibiscus plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa) with its stunning flowers. They used to be planted as hedgerows in St. Pete and elsewhere in the "early days" since they quickly grow into a 4 or 5 foot shrub. You harvest the fat red calyx after the bloom falls off. Substitute for any recipe that uses cranberry. I make my thanksgiving cranberry sauce every year from it. Also have some fun twists for it in my cookbook. The plant will die back each winter, if its hanging in South Florida on just remove it. Best to replant in spring so you don't have powdery mildew and root knot nematode issues out the gate. Grows in our native soil but does appreciate some water, especially while getting established in spring.

Packet: ~20 seeds

Good to start from seed in these months:

North Florida: February-May, September-November 

Central Florida: January-May, September-December

South Florida: January-May, September-December