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
-
Rose Mallow is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 5 to 7 feet tall. The leaves are alternate with a toothed margin. Lower leaves may have three lobes. White flowers with a burgundy center first mature in summer and continue into early fall. Rose mallow is native to wetlands and creek edges in the southeastern USA and is found in all areas of NC. It prefers full to partial sun in wet to constantly moist soils containing loam, silt, or some sand with organic material. The flowers of cultivars vary in color and can be up to 12 in. across on compact plants. This plant is slightly salt tolerant.
Use Rose Mallow in low place of the garden, as a specimen, along streams or ponds or as a temporary summer screen or hedge. It can also be grown in large containers.
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.
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Late summer Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
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. Healthy plants grown in the proper environment usually do not have problems and do not need staking. This plant is occasionally damaged by deer.
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 landscapes:
- Poolside Garden Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Sunken Pond Garden Flower Bonanza Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Luna Red'
- Pink Tea Cups
- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Lord Baltimore', 'Luna Red', Pink Tea Cups
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Luna Red'
- Pink Tea Cups
- 'Lord Baltimore'
- 'Lord Baltimore', 'Luna Red', Pink Tea Cups
- Tags:
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-
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, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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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
