Hardy Hibiscus
(Hibiscus moscheutos)
- Type: Perennial
- Light: Full Sun
- Height: 3-4'
- Spread: 3-4'
- Flower:
- Bloom: Summer
- Fruit:
- Fruit Time:
Hibiscus moscheutos, commonly known as hardy hibiscus or swamp rose mallow, is a vigorous, sturdy, rounded, somewhat shrubby, hairy-stemmed, woody-based perennial of the mallow family. It typically grows to 3-7’ tall and to 2-4’ wide. It is native to wet spots (marshes, swamps, floodplains, river banks, moist meadows, and moist woods) from Ontario and Massachusetts south to Ohio, Indiana, Alabama and Florida. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Best in moist, organically rich soils, but does well in average garden soils as long as those soils are not allowed to dry out. Regular deep watering is advisable. Immune to the heat and humidity of the deep South. Tolerates some light shade, but full sun with good air circulation produces the best flowers, the strongest stems and the best environment for resisting potential diseases.