General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic
Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 5a -28.9 °C (-20 °F) to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 3-8 feet
Plant Spread: 2-4 feet
Leaves: Deciduous
Fruit: Other: Beaked green capsule matures to brown and contains numerous brown seeds.
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Pink
White
Bloom Size: 5"-6"
6"-12"
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Suitable Locations: Bog gardening
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Suitable for wintersowing
Sow in situ
Start indoors
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Cuttings: Tip
Cuttings: Cane
Division
Pollinators: Various insects
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger

Image
Common names
  • Hardy Hibiscus
  • Swamp Mallow
  • Rose Mallow
  • Hibiscus
  • Marshmallow Hibiscus

Photo Gallery
Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b.
Date: 2010-07-30
This plant is a host plant for the Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melin
Location: My Cincinnati, Ohio garden
Date: July 2011
Hardy Hibiscus
Location: NSW Australia
Date: 2017-03-17
Seedling Swamp Mallow grown in Australia
Location: Dow Gardens, Midland, Michigan
Date: 2019-09-19
An attractive variety with distinctive veining
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2023-06-13

Date: 2015-08-31

Date: c. 1847
illustration from 'Edwards's Botanical Register', 1847
Location: Beautiful Tennessee, my garden
Date: 7-11-2017
seedling bloom

Date: 2015-08-02
Location: a few hundred feet from my house 
Date: 2015-07-17
Flooding along streams feeding the Cumberland River
Location: Dow Gardens, Midland, Michigan
Date: 2019-09-19
Some of the fascinating structures (bracts? sepals?) that surroun
Location: My Garden
Date: 2020-09-22

Date: 2015-09-01
Photo by laszloszakszon

Date: 2015-08-31

Date: 2015-08-31

Date: c. 1910
illustration by Chester A. Reed from his book, 'Wild Flowers East

Date: 2018-08-11
Location: Jacksonville, TX
Date: 2013-08-27

Date: 2015-09-01

Date: 2015-09-01
Location: South Carolina 
Date: 2018-07-06
Luna Red Hibiscus

Date: 2015-08-02

Date: 2014-07-17
Spotted in hotel landscape in central VA, USA.
Location: Beautiful Tennessee, my garden
Date: 2018-10-19
Two colors on same plant

Date: 2015-08-02

Date: 2015-08-31

Date: 2015-09-01
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA (zone 7b north Geogia mountains)
Date: 2022-06-30
Location: Illinois, US
Date: 2011-08-04
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2014-07-17
Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2023-09-09
Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos).
Photo by SongofJoy
Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2011-09-28
Opened seed pod with seeds.

Date: 2015-09-01
Location: Indiana  Zone 5
Date: 2008-08-22

Grown from seed, supposed hybrid

Date: 2015-09-01

Date: 2015-09-01

photo credit: Kurt Stüber
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2014-07-17
Location: Labour of Love Landscaping & Nursery, Glover, Vermont
Date: 2011-08-28 
Hibiscus moscheutos, pure white.  Likely a named variety, but it
Location: South Louisiana 
Date: Early spring 2013
A friend gave me this plant. I was pleasantly surprised by the ri

Date: 2015-09-01

Date: 2015-09-01
Location: My Cincinnati, Ohio garden
Date: July 2007
Hardy hibiscus
Location: My garden, KY
Date: 2020-07-16
2nd year bloom on an @DraDiana cross I dubbed Crimson Diana.
Location: Blue Elbow Swamp, Orange County, Texas
Date: June 20, 2013
The Texas Travel Information Center on the Texas, Louisiana borde

Date: 2015-08-02

Date: 2015-08-02

Date: 2015-09-01

Date: 2015-08-31
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-12-02
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-08-30
Location: Indiana  zone 5
Date: 2016-06-18
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-08-30
Location: Jefferson County, Texas
Date: May 30, 2016
This is a pink form of Hibiscus moscheutos that is often sold und
Location: Illinois, US
Date: 2018-09-16
Odd one with one petal that was half white.
Location: My garden, Pequea, Pennsylvania 17565
Date: 2017-09-09
Photo by wayne
Location: Lake James, NC
Date: 2020-08-01
Gorgeous white flowers.  They will be huge when they open!
Location: IL
Date: 2011-10-10
Location: Lake James, NC
Date: 2020-08-01
Blooms in several stages of emerging.
Location: Youngsville, LA
Date: 2015-06-22
By tabbycat
Location: Maryland
Date: 2015-08-16
Photo taken by my DD in a garden in Nantucket
Photo by dave
Location: Conservatory, Hidden Lake Gardens, Michigan
Date: 2018-08-17
(Hibiscus moscheutos) The reproductive parts of a hardy hibiscus
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park
Date: July 4, 2022
Swamp mallow #265;  RAB page 704, 122-8-2; AG p. 100, 20-11-1; LH
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park
Date: July 4, 2022
Swamp mallow #265;  RAB page 704, 122-8-2; AG p. 100, 20-11-1; LH
Photo by Samlav
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park
Date: July 4, 2022
Swamp mallow #265;  RAB page 704, 122-8-2; AG p. 100, 20-11-1; LH
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park
Date: July 4, 2022
Swamp mallow #265;  RAB page 704, 122-8-2; AG p. 100, 20-11-1; LH
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2023-06-18
Location: Piriapolis, Uruguay
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: 2014-08-12
Location: Brownstown Pennsylvania
Date: 2016-07-19
Location: Plano, TX
Location: Jenkins Arboretum in Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-02-18
brown capsules in winter at the pond area
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA (zone 7b north Geogia mountains)
Date: 2022-06-30
Location: Brownstown Pennsylvania
Date: 2016-07-23
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2014-07-18
Location: Youngsville, LA
Date: 2015-06-11
By tabbycat
Location: Youngsville, LA
Date: 2015-06-11
By tabbycat
Location: Winchester, NH
Date: 2014-07-31
size of my hand and now there is 5 or more blooms at once can't w
Location: Jacksonville, TX
Date: 2013-08-27
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-09-25
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2023-06-12
Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b
Date: 2011-09-28
Leaf and  petiole arrangement on stem - unopened seed pod.

Date: 2015-09-01

Date: 2015-09-01
Location: Brownstown Pennsylvania
Date: 2016-06-30
Location: Twisp
Date: September
Location: My Cincinnati, Ohio garden
Date: July 2011
Hardy Hibiscus
Location: Mentor on the Lake
Date: 2018-08-08
Location: Botanical Gardens of the State of Georgia...Athens, Ga
Date: 2018-07-08
Rose Of Sharon 005

old photo from aboretum
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park
Date: September 4, 2022
Swamp mallow #265;  RAB page 704, 122-8-2; AG p. 100, 20-11-1; LH
Location: Aberdeen, NC Pages Lake park
Date: September 4, 2022
Swamp mallow #265;  RAB page 704, 122-8-2; AG p. 100, 20-11-1; LH
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: 2014-08-12
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: 2014-08-12
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: 2014-08-12
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-12-02

photo credit: Marcus Obal
Location: Brownstown Pennsylvania
Date: 2016-07-18
Location: near Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Date: 2017-08-17
wild plants in a marsh
Location: My Northeastern Indiana Gardens - Zone 5b.
Date: 2010-07-30
Very long-lived plant. This one has been in part-shade conditions
Location: near Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Date: 2017-08-17
flowers of wild plants in a marsh
Location: near Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Date: 2017-08-17
foliage of wild plants in a marsh
Location: Nottingham Park in southeast pennsylvania
Date: 2008-08-01
wild plants in bloom in a marsh
Location: Jenkins Arboretum in Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Date: 2018-02-18
brown capsules in winter at the pond area
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-09-25
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2015-09-25
Location: Meadowlark Botanical Garden, Fairfax, Virginia (May 2022)
Date: 2022-05-01
Location: Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia, US
Date: 2020-07-23
Location: Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia, US
Date: 2020-07-23
Location: Lake James, NC
Date: 2020-08-01
I think these are leftover seed heads from last winter.
Location: Lake James, NC
Date: 2020-08-01
The stems of this one were a lot redder than the one next to it a
Location: Lake James, NC
Date: 2020-08-01
These were growing along the bank in the back of a cove on Lake J
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by Catmint20906 (PNW WA half hour south of Olympia - Zone 8a) on Aug 1, 2014 8:23 PM concerning plant:
    Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a larval host plant for the Grey Hairstreak Butterfly.
  • Posted by Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on May 23, 2013 12:11 AM concerning plant:
    "Hibiscus moscheutos (Swamp-rose Mallow or Rose mallow) is a cold-hardy perennial wetland plant that can grow in large colonies. The hirsute leaves are of variable morphology, but commonly found as deltoidal in form and sometimes having up to three lobes. It is found in wetlands and along the riverine systems of the southeastern United States from Texas to the Atlantic states, its territory extending northward to southern Ontario.

    There exists in nature numerous forms and petal colors range from pure white to deep rose, and, except for one genome, all have an eye of deep maroon. Taxonomic consensus is lacking for the nomenclature of the multiple sub-species. The complete flowers are born apically, whereas the related Hibiscus laevis carries bud and bloom along the stem. In Canada it is listed as a species of special concern by the Species at Risk Act.

    Propagation can be accomplished by seed sown 1/4-inch below media and kept constantly moist, or by crown divisions during winter dormancy, and some success can be achieved by hard-wood stem cuttings. Numerous hybrids of the native North American Hibiscus species have been released by the commercial nursery trade. In cultivation the species or the hybrids can be an attractive addition to a bog garden or other water feature, not only adding visual appeal but also enhancing wildlife value for nectar-feeders and birds."

    Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H...
  • Posted by tabbycat (Youngsville, LA - Zone 9b) on Jan 24, 2019 5:11 PM concerning plant:
    I got seeds in the NFSR Swap in Dec. 2018 of many of DraDiana's crosses of lots of these beauties. I'm excited to sow them in Feb. 2019 for late Summer blooms. I'm especially hoping the dark leaf trait of 'Midnight Marvel' & 'Starry Starry Night' is passed in those crosses with whites and shades of pinks to reds as well as the large 8" + flowers.
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Mar 8, 2012 12:29 PM concerning plant:
    Flowers of this Hibiscus are a clear bright pink or white without a red center. Give it full sun and average to wet conditions.

  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Dec 9, 2012 8:30 AM concerning plant:
    The large flowers can measure up to 8" in diameter. Several waterfowl species reportedly eat the seeds.
  • Posted by ILPARW (southeast Pennsylvania - Zone 6b) on Mar 3, 2018 1:47 PM concerning plant:
    The Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) is commonly sold at a large number of conventional nurseries as various cultivars for the garden or landscape, with the "Southern Belle' series of Red, Pink, or White flowers and plants 4 to 6 feet high being the most commonly sold. In gardens it likes moist soil and full sun and can be attacked by Japanese Beetle and White Fly when they are abundant. It is one of those perennials that one does not ever divide, just leave as is.

    I've seen wild Swamp Rose-Mallows in various marshes, swamps, and wet meadows here and there in southeast Pennsylvania with the flowers being white to medium pink. The native range of this Swamp Rose-Mallow is from Indiana to eastern Maryland and then southward into the deep South below that. (My old wildflower book of "A Field Guide to Wildflowers by Peterson & McKenny lists a Hibiscus palustris as a Swamp Rose-Mallow that grows in brackish or salt water marshes along the Atlantic Coast from Massachusetts into North Carolina and in fresh water marshes along the Great Lakes and that has slightly broader leaves.) I would say they are the same species, and it could be H. moscheutos palustris or one could go the other way and have H. palustris moscheutos for the former plant.
  • Posted by Natalie (North Central Idaho - Zone 7a) on May 31, 2016 12:36 PM concerning plant:
    The foliage may be used as a butterfly larval host by Hairstreaks, Blues, Coppers, and others.
Plant Events from our members
Horntoad On May 30, 2016 Bloomed
From seeds sown 2014.
Horntoad On April 23, 2015 Seeds germinated
Horntoad On April 15, 2015 Seeds sown
MrsBinWY On April 23, 2022 Transplanted
On 7-8-2019, planted out the Ex. 'Luna White' seedling in the front side yard by the 1st downspout. It returned in 2020 but not in 2021.
MrsBinWY On April 23, 2022 Transplanted
On 9-7-2019, planted 1 seedling out in the reworked bed on north side of garage. It returned in 2020 but not in 2021.
MrsBinWY On June 27, 2020 Transplanted
divided the big one from the corner of the garage; planted 1 by the Mountain Ash stump
MrsBinWY On October 26, 2019 Transplanted
4 of the 'Mocha Moon' x 'Mars Madness' seedlings by west side of garden hoop on 10-26-2019 (none returned in 2020)
MrsBinWY On July 21, 2019 Potted up
On 7-21-2019, potted up 8 of the 'Plum Fantasy' x 'Cranberry Crush' seedlings
MrsBinWY On July 21, 2019 Potted up
On 7-21-2019, potted up 5 of the 'Mocha Moon' x 'Mars Madness' seedlings
MrsBinWY On March 24, 2019 Seeds germinated
1 of the Ex. 'Luna White'
MrsBinWY On March 17, 2019 Seeds sown
16 'Luna White' descendants from ishareflowers' 2015G in milk jug, soaked, chipped, soaked, warm room temp
MrsBinWY On March 3, 2019 Seeds germinated
4 of the 'Plum Fantasy' x 'Cranberry Crush' showing
MrsBinWY On March 2, 2019 Seeds germinated
5 of the 'Mocha Moon' x 'Mars Madness' showing
MrsBinWY On February 24, 2019 Seeds sown
17 seeds (last, sent 5 to SSE Maryanne Starcher) from DraDiana's 2018G, 'Plum Fantasy' x 'Cranberry Crush' crosses, chipped & soaked, sown in wet potting mix in milk jug @ warm room temp
MrsBinWY On February 24, 2019 Seeds sown
17 seeds (last, sent 5 to SSE Maryanne Starcher) from DraDiana's 2018G, 'Mocha Moon' x 'Mars Madness' crosses, chipped & soaked, sown in wet potting mix in milk jug @ warm room temp
MrsBinWY On December 15, 2017 Seeds germinated
9 visible; gave jug of ~16 seedlings to John & Susie ~12-30-17
MrsBinWY On December 7, 2017 Seeds sown
Chipped & soaked seeds for 48 hours. (Seeds had swelled after 24 hours (or less), but I didn't get them sown then.) Sowed seeds in milk jug, room temp in very wet potting mix. 25 seeds from 2015G.
lovesblooms On April 2, 2020 Seeds germinated
Midnight Marvel x Purple Hearts from DraDiana
lovesblooms On March 4, 2020 Seeds germinated
Berry Awesome x Mocha Moon from DraDiana
lovesblooms On March 4, 2020 Seeds germinated
Mocha Moon x Starry Starry Night from DraDiana
lovesblooms On March 2, 2020 Seeds germinated
Mars Madness x Cranberry Crush from DraDiana
lovesblooms On March 2, 2020 Seeds germinated
Mars Madness x Berry Awesome from DraDiana
lovesblooms On February 26, 2020 Seeds sown
Mars Madness x Berry Awesome from DraDiana; indoors, heat, lights
lovesblooms On February 26, 2020 Seeds sown
Mocha Moon x Starry Starry Night from DraDiana; indoors, heat, lights
lovesblooms On February 26, 2020 Seeds sown
Berry Awesome x Mocha Moon from DraDiana; indoors, heat, lights
lovesblooms On February 26, 2020 Seeds sown
Mars Madness x Cranberry Crush from DraDiana; indoors, heat, lights
lovesblooms On February 26, 2020 Seeds sown
Midnight Marvel x Purple Hearts from DraDiana; indoors, heat, lights
WebTucker On July 4, 2022 Bloomed
» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
That is stunning, but it does not look like H. radiatus to me. by poisondartfrog Oct 23, 2013 5:54 PM 0
foliage by poisondartfrog Aug 10, 2014 6:14 AM 1
Incorrect ID by Horntoad Sep 10, 2018 6:25 PM 4
Plant ID by DaylilySLP Jun 25, 2019 6:57 AM 8

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