Smooth Rose-mallow Hibiscus laevis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus militaris
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-BIS-kus LAY-viss
- Description
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Halberd-leaved rose mallow is a rapidly growing perennial in the Malvaceae (mallow) family and is native to southeastern Canada and central and eastern United States. The genus name Hibiscus means mallow in Latin and Greek, and the species name laevis means smooth referring to the leaves which are hairless.
It grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet and a width of 3 to 4 feet. It has erect green stems and large, showy, white or pink flowers. It is a relative of the okra plant and has a slimy mucilaginous sap.
This plant prefers full or partial sun, fertile soil, and wet conditions and grows best in the coastal and piedmont regions of North Carolina where it bears fruit from August through October. Propagation occurs through seed planting.
Use in a pollinator, butterfly, or rain garden, along streams or ponds, or in wet areas of the cottage or native plant garden. It grows quickly in warm weather and works well in the back of a border, in wetland gardens, and woodland habitats. This heat-tolerant plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is browsed by white-tailed deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- laevis
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern Canada, central and eastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is browsed by white-tailed deer.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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 Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil 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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from August to October. Large finely hairy seeds are carried by the water.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- White to pink flowers bloom from June to September and are 5 petaled with a deeper colored throat and up to 6 inches wide. Prominent long stamens in the center of the cup-shaped flower. Each flower lasts for a day.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The green leaves simple, alternate, smooth are 3 lobed and up to 6 inches long and 4 inches across. Resemble the old fashioned halberd spear. The margins are serrate-crenate. The leaf shape can vary from 3-5 lobed or unlobed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are terete and glabrous, branching sparingly
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Wet Soil
