Some common names include: Mallow, Marsh Mallow, Sea Hollyhock, Water Mallow, Mallow Rose, Swamp Rose
Mallow, Mallow, Perennial Hibiscus, Common Rose Mallow, Crimson-eyed Rose Mallow, Rose Mallow, Rose-Mallow, Rosemallow,
Wild Cotton, Dinnerplate Hibiscus, or Frisbee Hibiscus
The perennial Mallows bear some of the largest flowers of any perennial, sometimes reaching up to 1 foot in diameter.
Since the early 1900's, successful hybridization of H. moscheutos with the progeny of cousins Hibiscus coccineus,
Hibiscus militaris, and Hibiscus grandiflorus has produced several widely-used F1 hybrids — notably, Southern Belle
and Dixie Belle. H. moscheutos is a native perennial species found growing in coastal marshes, from Georgia to Texas.
The plants begin blooming in late July, but are at their best during August and September, with large showy flowers
ranging in colors from white with crimson centers to many shades of pinks, and reds, to deep crimson.
The flowers are borne in the upper leaf axils with 5 broadly ovate, silky, pleated petals resembling a single Hollyhock
bloom, only much larger. Their stamens are fused into a prominent tubular column around the pistil, and the stigma is 5 lobed.
These tall plants form stands of sturdy, erect stems, growing from 3 feet to 8 feet tall with their branches spread out
over a great area. The leaves are large and grayish green in color, with the upper leaves being pointed and ovate, and
the lower ones often three lobed.
Mallows are hardy and adapt themselves readily to almost any planting. When grouped in masses the large plants
present an extraordinary picture. They may be planted either among shrubs or used as a substitute for them.
The plants are almost too large for the ordinary garden border because they require so much room, but they can be used
in large beds of mixed flowers or in butterfly and hummingbird gardens. Plants should be cut back to 3-6 inches above
ground level and covered with mulch before winter.
