Swamp Rose Hibiscus moscheutos
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Swamp Rose:
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus palustris
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-BIS-kus mos-KEW-tus
- Description
-
Crimsoneyed rose mallow is an herbaceous perennial in the Malvaceae (mallow) family. It is native to wetlands and creek edges in the southeastern United States and is found in all areas of North Carolina. It can grow 4 to 7 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. White flowers with a burgundy center first mature in summer and continue into early fall. The flowers of cultivars vary in color and can be up to 12 inches across on compact plants.
It prefers full to partial sun and wet to constantly moist soils containing loam, silt, or some sand with organic material. This plant is slightly salt tolerant and is considered low maintenance. Propagation is through seed planting or plant division.
This plant was selected as the 1997 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
Use rose mallow in the lowest area of the garden, as a specimen, along streams or ponds, or as a temporary summer screen or hedge. Plant in native, pollinator, butterfly, or rain gardens. It can also be grown in large containers. Its saucer-shaped flowers are a wildlife food source and are an attractant for pollinators, hummingbirds, butterflies, and specialized bees.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Japanese beetles can severely damage foliage if left unchecked. Whiteflies, aphids, and scale are occasional insect visitors. There is some susceptibility to leaf spots, blights, rusts, and canker. Leaf scorch can occur if soils dry out. This plant is occasionally damaged by deer.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Poolside Garden Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Sunken Pond Garden Flower Bonanza Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Luna Red'
- Pink Tea Cups
- Summer Storm
- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Lord Baltimore', 'Luna Red', Pink Tea Cups, Summer Storm
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Luna Red'
- Pink Tea Cups
- Summer Storm
- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Lord Baltimore', 'Luna Red', Pink Tea Cups, Summer Storm
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- moscheutos
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Distribution:
- Eastern U.S.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. 28 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant. Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 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:
- 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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Oval 1–1¼" long seed capsules July to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- White to pink blooms with a darker central eye are 6-9 inches wide with a prominent showy central staminal column. Bloom from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oval to lanceolate green leaves with toothed margins. Can be lobeless or have 3-5 shallow lobes. 3-8 inches long by 2-4 inches across. Undersides paler with hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Basal stems are woody. New growth green and hairy
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
- Wet Soil
