| Description | Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) A shrub-like herbaceous perennial with large flowers of crimson, rose or white with cerise centers. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (hi-BIS-kus) |
| Plant Type | Shrubs Deciduous |
| Hardiness Zone | 5-10 |
| Sunlight | full |
| Moisture | average, moist, best in moist |
| Soil & Site | Prefers moist environments. It is native to swampy forests, wet meadows, and marshes. |
| Flowers | The flowers are 4-5 inches in size and last only one day. They constantly bloom, are single, and can be crimson, rose, or white. These solitary flowers are borne from the axils of the plant and bloom from July through September. |
| Fruit | A seed capsule containing five seeds will float to aid in their dispersion. |
| Leaves | The leaves are green, broadly ovate in shape, with toothed margins. They may be lobeless or have 3 to 5 shallow lobes. |
| Dimensions | 6 feet or larger |
| Maintenance | When cutting back in the fall, leave a six-inch portion of the stem; they are very slow to emerge in the spring, and this will mark their spot. |
| Propagation | seeds |
| Native Site | native to areas of USA and Canada |
| Misc Facts | One Native American tribe used this plant to treat inflamed bladders. It was first collected by the English plant hunter Rev. John Banister in colonial Virginia around 1680. Tragically, he was accidentally shot and killed by a gunman while he was gathering plants. The plant bloomed for Thomas Jefferson at Monticello in July 1767. It is also known as hardy hibiscus or swamp rose mallow, and is commonly referred to as Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow or Marshmallow Hibiscus (scientific name: Hibiscus palustris). |
| Notes & Reference | #164-Heritage Flower Farm (www.heritageflowerfarm.com), #203- North Creek Nursery (www.northcreeknurseries.com), #153-Illinois Wild Flower (www.illinoiswildflowers.info) |
Cart
