Monday, June 6, 2011

Rose Mallow, Deciduous Perennial Of The Day

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Anne Arundel'
Rose Mallow, Wild Cotton, Common Rosemallow, Eastern Rosemallow, Swamp Rosemallow


Type Perennial
Hardy range 4A to 9A
Height 4' to 5' / 1.20m to 1.60m
Spread 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm
Growth rate Fast
Form Upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color Pink

Bloom Time Summer


Environment
This plant tolerates occasional wetness and a little salt.This plant will grow in dry to wet soil.Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay. The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
The flowers are showy.

Culture Notes
The Scarlet Rose Mallow is a narrow, upright, herbaceous perennial that can reach a height of 4 to 8 feet.  The 5- to 6-inch-long leaves of this plant are palmately lobed into 3, 5, or 7 parts.  These finger-like lobes are slender and have jagged teeth along their margins.  In the case of 'Anne Arundel', deep pink flowers that are up to 9 inches wide appear in mid to late summer.  These flowers are funnelform and occur on long axillary peduncles.  There are 10 or more involucral bracts present on the flower.  They are curved upward and are much shorter than the calyx lobes.

The Scarlet Rose Mallow is frequently used as a specimen and can be placed in a border.  It may also be utilized around the edge of a pond or along a stream since this type site is similar to their native Georgia and Florida habitat.  Although the Scarlet Rose Mallow is native to wetland areas, it is also tolerant of somewhat drier soils.  This plant requires a full sun or partial shade location in the landscape.  Flowering and growth in the shade are poor.

Hibiscus appreciates abundant watering and fertilization when newly planted, but requires little care once established.  Plants make attractive specimen plantings when given enough room to allow development of their natural arching form.  Cut back stem in early spring.  Propagate by soft-wood cuttings in the spring or by hard-wood cuttings in the fall. Plants can also be divided.


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