End-of-Summer Downunder - Hibiscus schizopetalus in bloom

Wow very exotic looking Hibiscus it's gorgeous.

Beautiful flower and picture

totally amazing!

Thanks Sue, Klahanie and Sticki.

This is a rather old-fashioned Hibiscus and it's not commonly seen in new gardens. You can still spot it in a few older gardens though. This is my absolute favourite Hibiscus.

The newer varieties with their fabulous colours are stunning, but this wonderful red Hibiscus will always be top of the list for me.

I've never seen anything quite like it, so delicate!

Sticki, I love their common name ... Japanese Lanterns. Sums it up perfectly, I think.

Oh yes, I like that better, I'm much more likely to remember that, my poor memory needs all the help it can get!

Lol, yes I know what you mean, Sticki. My old brain seems to be having more and more senior moments these days!

Sometimes I go totally blank, it's very scary.

You're not alone there, Sticki. It can be very embarrassing, especially when I'm at work. I'm a teacher who works with students with learning difficulties, and sometimes I can't even remember their names. In saying that, in my defence, I do work with a lot of children. Still ... it's not a good look when you just go blank!

Snap! I'm also a teacher! Sometimes you can get away with it but children are very knowing! It's what I like about them, their honesty!

So what level do you teach, Sticki? I spent many, many years in Year 1 classrooms before I moved into this new position. I've always loved teaching the young children. They really make teaching interesting.

Oh, year one (5 and 6 year olds) is my favourite, I wouldn't be clever enough to teach older ones. Currently I'm just tutoring 6 children one to one after school. They are years 3 and 4.
I like the creative side of teaching younger ones but what I like best is when you see them understand something for the first time!

Lol, that's what I've always said ... I'd never be clever enough to teach the older students!

I work mostly one-to-one or with small groups myself, and it's fantastic. I absolutely love it when things click for the first time with the students I work with. It's amazing to see how it impacts on their own sense of self worth when they finally get something they've been struggling for what seems like forever.

Absolutely! And that's the magic! Giving or trying to give children confidence and self worth is the main reason I went into teaching.

Love this one :o))

So do I, Hywel. It's so different to the usual.