Intro: Tall, shrublike perennial of marshes, swamps and river sandbars.
Stems: Stems few to many arising from single crown, fuzzy-hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, long petiolate, oval to lance-shaped, shallowly toothed, smooth to furry above and densely furry with white hairs beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers on long stalks from upper leaf axils; white to pink with maroon throat; 5-8 in. wide; funnel-shaped; consisting of 5 rounded petals, a central column of fused reddish stamens and a style, all surrounded by a 5-lobed calyx and an outer whorl of 10-15 very narrow, green bracts.
Fruits: Fruit a smooth, oval capsule with tapering, pointy tip.
Comments:
Height: 4-6 ft.
plant sale text: The blooms of crimson-eyed rose-mallow are among the largest of any of our native perennials. This shrubby perennial has plump, conspicuous flower buds - marvels of architecture and design in their own right which cluster at the tip of each stem and open several at a time. Crimson-eyed rose-mallow normally grows in wet areas such as in marshes and along shorelines, though this perennial also thrives in garden soils with average moisture. 1997 N.C. Wildflower of the Year
bloom table text:
description: Tall, shrublike perennial of marshes, swamps and river sandbars.
stems: Stems few to many arising from single crown, fuzzy-hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate, long petiolate, oval to lance-shaped, shallowly toothed, smooth to furry above and densely furry with white hairs beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers on long stalks from upper leaf axils; white to pink with maroon throat; 5-8 in. wide; funnel-shaped; consisting of 5 rounded petals, a central column of fused reddish stamens and a style, all surrounded by a 5-lobed calyx and an outer whorl of 10-15 very narrow, green bracts.
fruits: Fruit a smooth, oval capsule with tapering, pointy tip.
comments:
cultural notes: Crimson-eyed rose-mallow is a native perennial that occurs in open swamps and fresh and brackish marshes. Full sun and good air circulation are necessary for optimum blooms and disease suppression. Unfortunately its creamy-white, crimson-throated flowers are a favorite food of the Japanese beetle. The blossoms create a showy display throughout the summer, but as with other Hibiscus, each flower lasts for just one day.
germination code: 3
native range: eastern United States