Well, I'm having a hard time posting a pic. The flower is dark pink, very tall, (like five feet), dinner plate sized flower, and it was growing along the bank of a pond. Five huge petals. What could it have been?
Just a guess but when you mention that the bloom is about the size of a dinner plate my first thought was Dahlia 'Vancouver' There is a variety called Dinner Plate because of the size of the blooms.
Hello from Lincoln, Nebraska! This peaked my curiosity... The dinner plate size, with 5 huge petals? A hardy Hibiscus? Just guessing with no photo...
Oops, I didn't even see the '5 petals' info, my mind saw dinner plate and stopped there It does sound more like a Hibiscus.
I think that we call it "Hibiscus Newbiscus Mauvelous"...there are several types and colours. Have a look here: http://reviews.qvcuk.com/1690/558442/reviews.htm
It could be the Texas Star Hibiscus.I never saw a dark pink one I thought there was only white and red.
Your plant sounds like my hardy hibiscus. I can attach a picture for you to compare..... Hardy hibiscus ( photo / image / picture from plantgoddess's Garden ) Is this what your flower looks like?
Here is another photo showing one of the blooms next to my hand: ( photo / image / picture from plantgoddess's Garden )
WOW that is one lovley flower there ...mmmmm ...seeds??? from it..and where do you live from NYC?? LOL
I lost the flowers last year when the deer decided to snap off all the tops before the flowers arrived. When I complain about these pests, I am not joking. The hibiscus do put out a lot of seeds every fall, but it is better to get a division. Many times, the leaves are eaten by caterpillars before I even know they are there! My plant came from a division from my grandmother, who received hers from her father-in-law, who got the original in Florida. It is herbaceous and dies back every winter but is faithful in flowering during the summer - provided the deer don't get it! This was the first time in over 20 years that I've ever had a problem. :'( Mibus, I live about 1 1/2 hours north of NYC. It's pretty darned cold here tonight!