Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus drummondii
- Malvaviscus drummondii
- Phonetic Spelling
- mal-vah-VIS-kus ar-BOR-ee-us va-RY-eh-tee drum-MON-dee-eye
- Description
-
Wax mallow is a flowering, perennial shrub or subshrub, native of the southeastern United States and Mexico, in the mallow family. The flowers are fascinating on close inspection, with swirled petals that never open, but with long, protruding stamens. It is an old-fashioned, "pass-along" southern plant. The dark green heart-shaped leaves are long and wide. The small, red flowers blossom in late summer and into the fall. At maturity, the shrub will reach a height of 10 feet, although some plants have grown to 30 feet. The species name, arboreus refers to the tree-like appearance of the mature plant.
Wax mallow does best in moist fertile soil in partial shade. This plant can be pruned to control its size and is moderately salt tolerant.
It is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds as well as resistant to damage by deer. Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center has an article on Wax mallow and attracting hummingbirds.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Scotchman's Purse'
Pink Flowers
- 'Scotchman's Purse'
- 'Scotchman's Purse'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Scotchman's Purse'
Pink Flowers
- 'Scotchman's Purse'
- 'Scotchman's Purse'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malvaviscus
- Species:
- arboreus
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Texas east to Florida and North East Mexico
- Distribution:
- Distributed to Hawaii.
- Wildlife Value:
- Is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Important food source for female and juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is red, a 5 lobed capsule cupped in green remnants of the flower.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers have swirled petals that never open and long, protruding stamens. Blooms from summer to fall and each individual flower lasts two days. The flowers are 1 inch or more long with the pistil and stamens forming a column protruding 3/4 inch beyond the petals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 5 inches long and wide, heart shaped and 3 lobed, with broad teeth. Upper surface is dark green, lower surface lighter and velvety.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The upper stems are green and velvety and woody near the base.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Salt
