I have a beautiful camellia type cranberry colored hibiscus that is about twenty years old. It froze back to the ground this past winter and I thought it had died. I was sad to lose it but I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get rid of a trash tree of which I have no idea of the variety; but that had taken root right up next to the hibiscus and I had fears that if it really was a tree and not a bush, it would spell disaster for our foundation. I had always been afraid to attack it for fear of killing the hibiscus.

Now, it turns out the hibiscus is not dead. Still, I tried removing the dirt from around both plants so I could see the root system and kill off the bad tree. That is a bust, and I actually wonder if the 'trash tree' is a sport of the hibiscus after all.

The upshot is, I have pulled out the hibiscus. It only has the big roots that grow just under the soil- no little ones - and I want to keep it alive and put it somewhere else, or back in its spot once the offender is gone. How can I keep it alive and allow it to thrive when re-planted? Is there some method of replanting that would give it better chances of success.

I have not seen another one like this anywhere and don't want to lose it.