Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a larval host plant for the Grey Hairstreak Butterfly.

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"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...

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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.

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Flowers of this Hibiscus are a clear bright pink or white without a red center. Give it full sun and average to wet conditions.

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The large flowers can measure up to 8" in diameter. Several waterfowl species reportedly eat the seeds.

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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.

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The foliage may be used as a butterfly larval host by Hairstreaks, Blues, Coppers, and others.

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