My beautiful hibiscus was exposed to a sudden snowfall. Is there anything I can do to save it? All of the leaves are dried.
I am sorry to hear about your plant. As long as the stems are still alive, it will come back. Here is information on how to tell if they are still alive: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
This article may help you with getting them to recover: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm
There are several reasons this can happen, normally associated with stress of some kind. This article explains many of them and will help you decide which is likely for your plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/answers-to-what-causes-hibiscus-leaves-turning-yellow.htm
It likely needs some more fertilizer, especially phosphorus which helps with blooming. Use a "bloom booster" fertilizer or add some bone meal to the soil to help add some phosphorus.
I live in NE Ohio. Do I dig up my hibiscus to bring in for the winter?
If it is a hardy hibiscus, then it can stay outside to Zone 5. If it is a tropical hibiscus, it must be brought in for the winter. The tropical varieties will not tolerate more than a night or two of light freezes. Even one hard freeze (below 25) could kill the plant. The hardy varieties don't need any special treatment, though wrapping or mulching of the plant in colder zones is fine. If you are unsure of what you have, I would grow it in a container indoors just to be safe. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/wintering-hibiscus-indoors-winter-care-for-hibiscus.htm
Do hibiscus need a lot of sun?
Yes, hibiscus plants grown outdoors enjoy full sun, while those indoors require bright, indirect light.
Candy Wind hibiscus - that black stuff on the flower buds is weird, it's not spots, sits on top, doubt mold, also on bottom of flower when it blooms. I dont think it's even from the plant itself. I had 8 lady bugs suddenly appear all over the plant and went to eating it all off the buds!! I have two pots of this plant - one on each side of my porch and only one of them has this stuff on them.
You actually probably have a pest, most likely aphids since you are seeing lady bugs. These beneficial insects love feeding on aphids and will help get rid of them. One of the side effects of aphids is sticky honeydew, which more often than not leads to sooty mold--the black stuff you are seeing. To get rid of the sooty mold, you need to get rid of the aphids. We recommend neem oil as it is safe for humans, pets and the beneficial bugs. It will also help with the sooty mold.
Here are some articles to help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Normally this is done in spring but as long as the plant is inside, you can trim as needed. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/tips-for-pruning-hibiscus-plants-when-to-prune-hibiscus.htm