Hibiscus moscheutos

RHS Plant Profile

common rose mallow

Annaick Guitteny

Other common names

crimsoneyed rosemallow, purple marsh rose mallow, sea hollyhock, swamp rose mallow, rose mallow

Synonyms

Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. palustris
Hibiscus palustris

Herbaceous Perennial

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A tall, strong-growing herbaceous perennial with upright stems, woody at the base. The broad leaves have toothed edges and white hairs on the underside. Large flowers, up to 20cm across, have spreading petals in white, pink or pinky-red, sometimes with a dark eye

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–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): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
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
Plant Range: S & E North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

May be grown outdoors in mild, frost-free areas, or in large containers that can be moved indoors over winter. Outdoors, grow in neutral to slightly acidic soil in full sun, and mulch well over winter. Hibiscus need long, hot summers to flower well. Indoors, grow in bright filtered light with moderate humidity and good ventilation

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring, or by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Sub-tropical
Wall side borders
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1; little pruning is usually necessary

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