Creating a Tropical Oasis in Your Own Backyard

Some days you just want to get away from it all, to relax in some tropical paradise- but daily life gets in the way. 
Imagine how it would feel to have your own private oasis- for just a few dollars? 
Start by choosing a suitable area in your yard.  Perhaps add a bamboo fence sold in rolls from local hardware stores or on line) and attach it to your existing fence or trees.  Add some beautiful Hibiscus, but make sure they are in a sunny spot.  Attach a wood trellis nearby, plant some Thunbergia vine in yellow or bright orange, providing a quick running flowering shade for you while you read. 
Mandevilla vine is also a great choice, which has large blooms in pink tones. 
Grab some sturdy pots large enough for combination plantings, add some Cordyline and Ti plants to your flowering groups. 
A little fountain in a bucket, a comfy reading chair, and at night, don't forget the Chinese lanterns and tiki torches.  And of course, your choice of beverage.

How to care for your Hibiscus:
Sold as a tropical plant ( does not tolerate freezing temperatures) Hibiscus are a great addition to most patio or pool sides.  We normally don't recommend planting them in the ground here in Pennsylvania, as you might wish to bring it inside once the fall arrives as a houseplant. 
In any case, they do need lots of sun.  They also need lots of water.  Our Hibiscus are grown in black growers pots, and could use a larger size container once you bring it home.  We also provide free repotting , a nice service as we provide the soil and labor- all you need to do is buy the plant and the pot!  Although Hibiscus need to be kept fairly moist, the soil needs to be loose enough to be able to drain properly.  In other words, it can't sit in water in a pot that does not drain. 
Hibiscus have a voracious need for potassium and should be fed regularly through the growing season. They also like acid fertilizer. 
Trim off any branches that are growing too long if you want to maintain a certain shape.
Check the leaves periodically for signs of pest infestations (aphids, scale, mealybug) and treat accordingly if spotted. 
When bringing them indoors for fall, they need to be acclimated slowly.  Bringing them in at night and outside in the warmer days will help them adjust.  Check them for insects before bringing them inside your home, and put them  in the sunniest window you have.  You may need to add extra lighting on them.  Be aware that they will drop some leaves, so don't get alarmed. 
 How you watered it outside will change once it's indoors also.  Notice if the soil is drying faster in the dry heat of your home.  Or if you keep your house cooler in the winter, it wont dry out as fast.  Just observe.  Feed it just once in the fall and let it do it's thing all winter...which wont be much.  In the spring you can take it outdoors again on warm days and soon leave it outside in the summer.  Start feeding it again in the early spring, and regularly twice a month during the summer. 
Then again, Dan Schantz Greenhouse only sells the Hibiscus Bush in a near 3 gallon pot for about $14.  For that price, you can afford to toss it out after the fall.  We have Hibiscus trees in 2 sizes and braided ones also priced a little higher.

Mandevilla Vines are another favorite around here, they grow rather quickly and have bright pink or rose tone blooms on large shiny green leaves.  The care for them is about the same as a Hibiscus, only they grow up a trellis - a little trickier when bringing it indoors for the winter.  Simply prune it down to about 1/2 the size and bring inside.  Sometimes are grown year around as a houseplant!  You'll find they require a little less water than the Hibiscus mostly because it needs less sun, and are adaptable to many outdoor locations.  Best to put them in sun to part shade as sun tends to burn the leaves. Truly a patio favorite- and a great Mother's Day gift.  Most sizes available.