Hardy hibiscus adds interest to garden

As a landscape designer I always encourage clients to include plant material that has more than one season of interest in their gardens. But as with any philosophy there are always exceptions and one of those is Hibiscus moscheutos, commonly called rose mallow.

This is a one-season plant, but what a season it is. Hibiscus moscheutos have been blooming now, for about a month and flowers never fail to stop passersby in their tracks. People are awed by the vivid color, tropical looking, immense, dinner plate size blooms. Each blossom lasts only a day but more flowers are produced in succession starting in early August and continuing into September. Each flower is centered with numerous stamens attached to a long, pale yellow tube.

Hibiscus moscheutos is a member of the mallow family along with hollyhocks, lavatera, okra and cotton. Rose mallow benefits from supplemental irrigation and fertilization and although they are native to wet locations, they can withstand brief periods of drought, once established. Unlike their woody cousins Hibiscus syriacus, Hibiscus moscheutos will die down to the ground each winter. They emerge in the spring, later than other perennials, but quickly grow to their mature height of 4 to 5 feet. Because of this, site rose mallow in the hottest and sunniest location in the garden to promote the earliest spring showing and quickest growth. Try Hibiscus “Turn of the Century” with alternating petals of dark and light pink, resembling a pinwheel in appearance. The newly introduced Cordial Series hybrids are bred for more branching, fuller habit and more flowers. Three in this series are:

Hibiscus “Peppermint Schnapps” with pink flowers flecked with rose, Hibiscus “Cherry Brandy” which flaunts deep rose red flowers supported by burnished, purple, incised leaves,

Hibiscus “Cinnamon Grappa” with rich, 8- to 10-inch, red blooms and maple-like leaves.

Hibiscus moscheutos is hardy to zone 5 and possibly zone 4. But a warning to those living on the outskirts of town; these breathtaking, beauties are not deer resistant and the flowers can make a tasty meal for a foraging animal.