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Hibiscus grandiflorus is often confused with:
Kosteletzkya pentacarpos Kosteletzkya virginica
Native alternative(s) for Hibiscus grandiflorus:
Hibiscus laevis Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Buddleja Lo & BeholdĀ® 'Pink Micro Chip' 'Pink Micro Chip' blossom
Hibiscus laevis Flowers
Salvia 'Amistad' PP# 23578 Close up of flower

Hibiscus grandiflorus

Previously known as:

  • Hibiscus grandiflora
Description

Swamp Rose Mallow, belonging to the Malvacea family that includes mallows, cotton and okra, is an herbaceous, shrub-like, perennial wetland plant noted for its showy flowers. Its fragrant flowers span up to ten inches wide and are one of the largest in North America. Blooms open at night, are very attractive in the moonlight, last for a day, and are replenished with ongoing blooms.

It is endemic to the southeast U.S. in areas wet with fresh or brackish water such as swamps, marshes, ditches, and edges of ponds and rivers. It grows to a height of up to ten to fifteen feet and thrives in warm temperatures that promote bud and flower growth. Plants die back to the ground each winter. Growth sprouts again in spring and more stalks emerge with each year's new growth.

Use this plant in full to partial sun in moist to wet soils with high organic matter around ponds, streams, swamps or bogs. It can also be used in a container.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Moy Grande'
    Hot pink flowers, hardier
'Moy Grande'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#pink flowers#perennial flowers#swamps#large flowers#night-flowering#long bloom time#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant midsummer#container plant#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Moy Grande'
    Hot pink flowers, hardier
'Moy Grande'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#pink flowers#perennial flowers#swamps#large flowers#night-flowering#long bloom time#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant midsummer#container plant#boggy sites
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hibiscus
    Species:
    grandiflorus
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE USA
    Distribution:
    AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, TX
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Seed pods provide birds with a food source.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Water Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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 Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Pubescent capsule surrounded by the remnants of the calyx
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Showy pink or white fragrant flowers have 5 overlapping petals with an attractively contrasting reddish-purple center with multiple yellow stamens. The 6-10 inch flowers occur singly on a leaf axil. Blooms open at night and last for only a day or two but are replenished constantly with many blooms throughout the bloom season that extends from late spring through late summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Deltoid
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Velvety alternate, heart-shaped, leaves are grayish-green and have 3 to 5 shallow lobes with a toothed margin. Leaves are fuzzy on the top and underside and up to 10 inches long and wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Green or reddish stems with star-shaped hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Short-lived