Swamp Rosemallow Hibiscus grandiflorus
Other Common Name(s):
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 the flowers 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'
- 'Moy Grande'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Moy Grande'
Hot pink flowers, hardier
- 'Moy Grande'
- 'Moy Grande'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Water Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Pubescent capsule surrounded by the remnants of the calyx
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green or reddish stems with star-shaped hairs
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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
