Hibiscus mutabilis

RHS Plant Profile

Confederate rose

RHS

Other common names

Confederate rose mallow, cotton rose, Confederate vine

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

A large spreading shrub or small tree, with stems covered in soft, star-shaped hairs and rich green toothed foliage. Funnel-shaped white or pink flowers appear from spring to autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Hibiscus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees, annuals or perennials, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and large, funnel-shaped flowers over a long flowering season
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered light, providing moderate humidity and good ventilation. Water freely during the growing season and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13-18°C in spring or propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 9 little or no regular pruning evergreen shrubs

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews