Rose mallow flowers bloom from mid-summer through early autumn. (Lisa Brown/Flickr)
Rose mallow grows in tidal marshes and wetlands, mostly in the coastal plain. (Jenn Forman Orth/Flickr)
Rose mallow is a native perennial plant with beautiful white or pink flowers that bloom from mid-summer through early autumn.
Appearance
The rose mallow has white or pink hibiscus flowers with five petals. The flowers have a deep pink or burgundy center with a yellow stamen and grow to 6 to 8 inches in diameter. They bloom from mid-summer through early autumn. The rose mallow's leaves are green and wedge-shaped with velvety undersides; the leaves can grow to 8 inches in length. The plant has round stems with tiny hairs and a broad, round base. Rose mallow grows to 7 feet tall.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
About one month after flowering, seed capsules mature and turn brown. Seed pods eventually split open, allowing seeds to scatter.
Did You Know?
- The rose mallow is also known as the swamp mallow, marsh mallow and marsh hibiscus.
- It has been used medicinally in the form of tea to treat digestive and urinary tract inflammations.
- There are many rose mallow cultivars that come in various colors, such as hot pink and ruby red.
Sources and Additional Information
- Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- PLANTS Database: Hibiscus moscheutos – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Hibiscus moscheutos – The University of Texas at Austin
- PlantFiles: Rose Mallow, Swamp Mallow – Dave’s Garden
Quick Facts
Species
Native
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Habitat
Grows in fresh, brackish and salt marshes and wetlands. Prefers full to partial sun.
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Range
Found mostly in the coastal plain of Maryland and Virginia; also grows in the upper Piedmont Valley.
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Status
Stable
