puarangi
Hibiscus richardsonii | puarangi
A critically endangered striking short-lived perennial herb found in disturbed coastal sites of the northern North Island. Growing up to 1m tall, it's highly prized for its compact growth habit and conspicuously beautiful cream flowers, often accented with lemon-yellow petals and dark maroon centers, which bloom profusely from October through May, despite each flower lasting only a single day. Though best suited to open, sunny situations where it won't be outcompeted by taller weeds, Puarangi is an easy-to-cultivate plant ideal for mixed plantings, coastal, and cottage gardens, serving as an excellent filler for beds, pots, and planters. It forms a well-branched, compact mound of deeply lobed, dark green leaves, and produces inflated seed pods.
typical habitat.
coastal scrub
coastal forest
drainage.
dry
sun.
full sun
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 80cm
width | 80cm
pollinators calendar.
flowering | (September-) October - May
fruiting | September-) June (potentially all year round)
did you know?
This plant typically acts as a short-lived perennial in warmer climates but is best grown as an annual in colder regions. It's a useful "filler" due to its ready self-seeding. As its flowering season wanes, growth can become open, so strategic pruning is beneficial to maintain a compact shape in subsequent growth.