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Sunset Huskmallow Abelmoschus manihot

Previously known as:

  • Hibiscus manihot
Phonetic Spelling
a-bel-MOS-kus MAN-ee-hoat
Description

Sunset Huskmallow grows easily and quickly in well-drained, evenly moist, loamy soils in the full sun.  It easily self-seeds in the garden. Prune it to the ground in winter to rejuvenate growth in the spring. Leaves are edible and make a great flowering addition to a vegetable garden or perennial border. They can also be grown in containers and deer are not particularly attracted to it. It is related to okra but has given up the edible pods for larger flowers.

This plant grows to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The large lemon-yellow flowers last only a day but the long bloom season makes up for it. The leaves are ornamental as well as being edible. In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, slugs, and whiteflies can be problems.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Backyard Respite Landscape Shade Border
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#deer resistant#vegetable garden#border planting#pollinator plant#edible leaves#butterfly friendly#container plant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#deer resistant#vegetable garden#border planting#pollinator plant#edible leaves#butterfly friendly#container plant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Abelmoschus
    Species:
    manihot
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Seeds have been used to make perfume. Bark and sap are used in herbal medicine.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    India to Central China and Malesia
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.
    Edibility:
    Young leaves are edible, raw or cooked, and are mucilaginous.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Common name muskmallow refers to the fragrant seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Pale yellow with a maroon center 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Five-petaled flowers last one day, but plant blooms midsummer into fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 11 inches in diameter, dissected with five to nine lobes. Leaves are slightly pubescent above and below.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer