Confederate Rose Hibiscus

Hibiscus mutabilis 'Plena'

Other Names: Dixie Rosemallow, Cotton Rose, Cotton Rosemallow, Hardy Hibiscus, Confederate Rose Hardy Mallow

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-11  Find Your Zone

---

Plant Type:  Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Tree

Height at Maturity:  10-12'

Width at Maturity:  8-10'

Spacing:  8' for solid hedges;  16'+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form:  Upright, Rounded

Growth Rate:  Fast

---

Flower Color:  White, Light Pink, Dark Pink

Flower Size:  Large, 5-6"

Flowering Period:  Fall thru Early Winter

Flower Type:  Fully Double

Fragrant Flowers:  No

Foliage Color:  Green

Fragrant Foliage:  No

Berries:  No

Berry Color:  NA

---

Sun Needs:  Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs:  Average, water regularly during extreme heat or drought

Soil Type:  Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage:  Moist but well-drained

Soil pH:  5.5 - 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)

---

Maintenance / Care:  Low to Average

Attracts:  Visual Attention

Resistances:  Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect

Description

Unique in every way, meet the Confederate Rose, a wonderful hardy Hibiscus recognized for its fall display of gorgeous flowers of many colors on the same bush, bold foliage, impressive stature and form, and cold hardiness to as far north as USDA Zone 7a.

Unlike most hardy Hibiscus which bloom in summer, Confederate Rose produces its large and beautiful, peony-form flowers during the fall season. In our north-central gardens the flower buds start opening in October continuing all the way through late November to early December, depending on the weather. What's really neat is how the flowers change color after opening. They open pure white then gradually turning to darker shades of pink until ending up a deep rose-pink to nearly red. Because buds open at different times the result is all these different colors on the same plant at the same time. Truly a spectacular sight to behold!

But the flowers aren't the only impressive attribute of this Hibiscus. The bold, 7 to 8-inch wide soft and fuzzy green leaves, shaped and sized somewhat like those of the sycamore tree, serve as the perfect backdrop to the flowers while also providing a tropical effect in the garden spring to frost. The Confederate Rose would be an impressive texture plant in the landscape without the flowers. Growing 10-12 feet tall and almost as wide, it surely won't go unnoticed. This is one beauty that deserves a spot in every landscape or garden where it has room to grow. 

For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Zone 7a, where this Hibiscus variety is not reliably winter hardy, you'll be happy to know it can be grown in large containers that can be brought indoors during the winter months and placed back outdoors when temperatures rise in spring. 

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 10-12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide, the Confederate Rose Hibiscus is ideal for use as a focal point specimen, in groupings, or as a seasonal hedge in sunny landscape borders and garden beds. It also serves well as a backdrop for lower growing plants in flower gardens. Suitable for growing in large containers and a fine addition to perennial gardens, cottage gardens and tropical-look gardens. For those who live north of USDA Zone 7a, where this plant is not reliably winter hardy, containers can be brought indoors during winter. 

Spacing:  8 feet apart for solid hedges;  16 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

The Confederate Rose Hibiscus is exceptionally easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility in full sun to part shade. Flowering will be heavier with more sun. Though drought tolerant when established, plants will appreciate an occasional good deep soaking in the absence of rainfall during summer. Maintenance is minimal, just one pruning a year. In early spring, just when new growth begins to emerge, we cut the stems back to just a few inches or so above the ground. When temperatures warm in spring plants new stems will shoot up quickly to 10 feet or more in height!

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Hardy Hibiscus plants.

How To Plant And Care For Perennial Hibiscus

Plant Long & Prosper!

Questions?  Contact Us!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff