Hibiscus coccineus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus semilobatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-BIS-kus kok-SIN-ee-us
- Description
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Scarlet Rose Mallow is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 6 to 8 feet tall. The leaves are palmately compound with a finely toothed margin. A very large, showy red flower matures in late summer to early fall.
Flowers of red hibiscus are very large and striking, up to 6 in.wide. The large, bold leaves add to the striking effect. It can be used in wet areas, such as beside ponds or in boggy areas. This plant is slightly salt tolerant.
It is a large plant for the rear of the perennial border, mixed border, or courtyard. Also effective when grouped in moist locations along edges of ponds and streams. This plant is susceptible to damage from deer.
Sometimes commonly called swamp hibiscus because it is native to marshes and swamps in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Seasons of Interest:Blooms: Summer Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: It has some susceptibility to blight, canker, rust, leaf spots, aphids, scale, whiteflies, and Japanese beetle. Taller plants may need staking.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pollinator Garden- Partial Shade Four-Season Garden Pollinator Garden- Partial Shade Davidson County Demo Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- coccineus
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Distribution:
- Alabama, Georgia, Florida
- Wildlife Value:
- Its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Showy center staminal column. Blooms in late summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deep green, finely toothed
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
- Wet Soil
