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Hibiscus hybrid is often confused with:
Hibiscus coccineus Hibiscus coccineus
Native alternative(s) for Hibiscus hybrid:
Hibiscus laevis Flowers
Hibiscus moscheutos Native habitat
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Betonica officinalis 2 lipped purple red flowers
Hyssopus officinalis Hyssopus officinalis
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Hibiscus hybrid has some common insect problems:
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage

Swamp Mallow Hibiscus hybrid

Other plants called Swamp Mallow:

Phonetic Spelling
hih-BIS-kus
Description

Hardy hibiscus is a member of the Malvaceae (mallow) family. Hibiscus hybrids are vigorous, sturdy, erect, but sometimes shrubby, woody perennials that typically grow to 4 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet in diameter. Hibiscus hybrid plants are often complex mixtures of different species that are native to the United States, including H. coccineus, H. laevis, H. militaris, H. moscheutos, and H. palustris

Hardy Hibiscus is winter hardy to USDA Zones 4 or 5, which significantly distinguishes it from the many tropical to semi-tropical hibiscus on the market today. It is easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. They do best in moist, organically rich soils, but do surprisingly well in average garden soils, as long as those soils are not allowed to dry out. Deep and consistent watering is advisable. They tolerate some light shade, but full sun with good air circulation produces the best flowers, strongest stems, and the best environment for resisting potential diseases. Site them in locations protected from wind to minimize the risk of wind burn. Deadhead individual flowers immediately to maintain plant appearance. Cut back stems to approximately 3 to 4 inches in late autumn.  Although they are cut down each fall, the clump will increase in size, providing a larger plant with blooms that will appear on new growth.

Individual flowers grow to 6 inches in length and remain in bloom for only one day, but one or more flowers usually open each day, in succession, over a long mid-summer to early fall (sometimes to first frost) bloom period.

Hibiscus adds an instant tropical feel to any landscape and are perfect specimen plants near a pool or patio.  Use them in large containers if you have harsh winters, so they can be brought indoors.  Plant in a butterfly or pollinator garden or in groups for a shrub border.  They work well in a naturalized or riparian area. This plant is slightly salt tolerant. 

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No significant problems, however aphids, Japanese beetles and sawfly larvae can be issues.  Leaf scorch can result from allowing the soil to dry out.  

Provide full sun in your growing location.  Shady spots can result in the stems growing too tall to support the large blooms. 

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 landscape:
Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Souto Sun Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brandy Punch'
    Bright pink with red center, red tinged stems
  • 'Disco Belle Pink'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Dixie Belle'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Evening Rose'
    Red flowers with deeper red center
  • 'Holy Grail'
    Purple leaved, red flowers
  • 'Kopper King'
    Copper colored foliage, bi-colored flowers
  • 'Lady Baltimore'
    Heavily flowered
  • 'Lord Baltimore'
    Heavily flowered
  • 'Midnight Marvel'
    Red flowers, burgundy tinged foliage
  • 'Perfect Storm'
    3' compact shrub, white flower with red center
  • 'Southern Belle'
  • Summerific 'Berry Awesome'
    Compact shrub, pink-lavender flowers with red center.
  • Summerific 'Holy Grail'
    Dark, near black foliage, large red flowers
'Brandy Punch', 'Disco Belle Pink', 'Dixie Belle', 'Evening Rose', 'Holy Grail', 'Kopper King', 'Lady Baltimore', 'Lord Baltimore', 'Midnight Marvel', 'Perfect Storm', 'Southern Belle', Summerific 'Berry Awesome', Summerific 'Holy Grail'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#specimen#salt tolerant#woody#riparian#disease resistant#woody shrub#deer resistant#large flowers#frost tolerant#poolside planting#pollinator plant#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#flowers late summer#small group plantings#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#bee friendly#tropical feel#poor drainage tolerant#shrub borders#container plant#perennial#insect resistant#patio#butterfly garden#woody perennial#th-sight
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brandy Punch'
    Bright pink with red center, red tinged stems
  • 'Disco Belle Pink'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Dixie Belle'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Evening Rose'
    Red flowers with deeper red center
  • 'Holy Grail'
    Purple leaved, red flowers
  • 'Kopper King'
    Copper colored foliage, bi-colored flowers
  • 'Lady Baltimore'
    Heavily flowered
  • 'Lord Baltimore'
    Heavily flowered
  • 'Midnight Marvel'
    Red flowers, burgundy tinged foliage
  • 'Perfect Storm'
    3' compact shrub, white flower with red center
  • 'Southern Belle'
  • Summerific 'Berry Awesome'
    Compact shrub, pink-lavender flowers with red center.
  • Summerific 'Holy Grail'
    Dark, near black foliage, large red flowers
'Brandy Punch', 'Disco Belle Pink', 'Dixie Belle', 'Evening Rose', 'Holy Grail', 'Kopper King', 'Lady Baltimore', 'Lord Baltimore', 'Midnight Marvel', 'Perfect Storm', 'Southern Belle', Summerific 'Berry Awesome', Summerific 'Holy Grail'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#specimen#salt tolerant#woody#riparian#disease resistant#woody shrub#deer resistant#large flowers#frost tolerant#poolside planting#pollinator plant#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#flowers late summer#small group plantings#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#bee friendly#tropical feel#poor drainage tolerant#shrub borders#container plant#perennial#insect resistant#patio#butterfly garden#woody perennial#th-sight
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hibiscus
    Species:
    hybrid
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Makes an excellent plant in the landscape.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Hybrids native to US
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers rich in nectar attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are up to 6–10 inches across with five flat showy overlapping petals bloom from late summer to early fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, alternate, deeply cut, irregularly serrate foliage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Insect Pests
    Salt
    Wet Soil