Hibiscus mutabilis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hi-BIS-kus mew-TAB-ill-iss
- Description
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Confederate rose is a large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree in the Malvaceae (mallow) family native to China and Taiwan. It grows well in the coastal and piedmont regions of North Carolina. The plant grows rapidly to 10 to 12 feet high and 8 to 10 feet wide, so consider its space requirements when determining its planting location. The genus name Hibiscus is Latin for mallow. The species name mutabilis is Latin for change, referring to the changing color of the flowers from white when they first open to light pink and then dark pink as they mature.
Confederate Rose requires full sun and loamy soil with high organic matter. It can tolerate being occasionally wet. Prune this plant in the winter after its fall blooms fade. Next season's flowers will appear on new growth. Severe pruning to the ground can rejuvenate leggy plants. It propagates by cuttings that root easily.
It makes an excellent choice for a specimen plant but can also thrive in a mixed shrub border or butterfly garden. The large, saucer-shaped flowers are an attractant for specialized bees and pollinators.
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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- 'Coton Rose Nagoya'
White flowers - 'Plenus' double flowered
- 'Coton Rose Nagoya'
- 'Coton Rose Nagoya', 'Plenus' double flowered
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Coton Rose Nagoya'
White flowers - 'Plenus' double flowered
- 'Coton Rose Nagoya'
- 'Coton Rose Nagoya', 'Plenus' double flowered
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- mutabilis
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South central and southeast China, Taiwan
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- 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)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large mostly solitary flowers with 5 petals and a large showy reproductive structure in the center open white and change color to deep pink
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Bright green, elliptical to ovate, lobed with palmate veins and sawtooth dentate margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
