A surprise

Some while ago, I shifted two or three very straggly and unhealthy looking hibiscus plants from where they had been planted by previous owners under the pohutukawa trees. No sun and most of the soil water being taken by the big trees. In fact, they were swamped by agapanthus and ivy, so that it was only when I was clearing that away that we knew they were there. Hence the decision to move them.

The new location was on the north facing side of the ancient landslip. Still under the biggest tree's shade some of the day, but much more light and water. And nothing swamping them with its more rampant growth. It took a couple of years of recovery before the first flowers, and now we see that this one has double flowers. The colour is intense, and right for where it is planted.