Description
Botanical Name: Hibiscus grandiflorus
Common Name: Swamp Rosemallow, Swamp Pink Hibiscus, Large-Flowered Hibiscus, Velvet Hardy Mallow
Description: Swamp Rosemallow is a deciduous Florida perennial wildflower that is stunning when in full bloom. Its solitary, fragrant flowers are large, 6-10″, and somewhat nodding. They have five whitish-pink to rose-colored petals with reddish-purple centers and multiple yellow stamens. Blooms open at night and last for only a day or two but are replenished constantly with many blooms throughout the season of summer to fall. Leaves are deltoid to heart-shaped, have toothed margins and are alternately arranged. They are grayish-green in color and velvety, giving the foliage a silvery tone. Stems and bracts are pubescent, as are the capsules.
It occurs naturally in marshes and swamps, in wet ruderal areas, and along edges of lakes, ponds, and rivers in loam, organic material (muck), or sand. It is often seen in large masses in open marsh areas. Quickly grows 6-10′ tall x 3-4′ wide. Grows best in full sun to part sun. Is not considered drought tolerant.
Attracts butterflies, bees, beetles, hummingbirds, and other birds. Is the larval host of Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady Butterfly, Common Checkered Skipper, and Tropical Checkered Skipper butterflies and four moths : Pearly Wood Nymph, Yellow Scallop Moth, Io Moth, and Delightful Bird-Dropping Moths. Attracts butterflies and native bees (including the Rose-mallow Bee which is a Hibiscus specialist), beetles, etc. Seed pods provide birds with a food source.
Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray.
Hibiscus moscheutos, Hibiscus grandiflorus, and Hibiscus coccineus are all Florida native hardy hibiscus.
This plant in 1-gallon containers is 2-4′ tall.
Plant Lore: Swamp Hibiscus is a member of the mallow family (family Malvaceae) which includes herbs, shrubs, and rarely small trees, often velvety with starlike or branched hairs, the flowers borne singly or in branched clusters. There are about 85 genera and 1,500 species, many in tropical America. Rose-of-Sharon and other Hibiscus, and Hollyhocks are grown as ornamentals. Okra is the edible fruit of one species of Hibiscus, and the hairs of seeds of Gossypium provide the fiber cotton.
Florida Hardiness Zones 8 – 11
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