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Confederate Rose
By webmaster | September 9, 2009
Confederate Rose
Malvacea Hibiscus mutabalis
Description:
The Confederate Rose is a large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree that grows to 15 ft high with about a 10 ft spread. Neither a Confederate (it hails from China but has taken a liking to the US southland), nor a rose (it’s in Malvaceae, the hibiscus family).
Dropping its leaves in winter the shrub’s slender stems seem to disappear among neighboring plants until midsummer, when it leafs out into a big bushy mass. The large leaves are 5 – 7 in, bright green, hairy on the undersides and deeply lobed. They impart a coarse texture that gives the plant a distinctive eye-catching appeal. Hibiscus mutabilis is downright conspicuous when in full bloom starting in late summer and on into fall. The flowers open pure white and change color over a three-day period until they are deep pink and then as they die assume a dark “blue-pink” hue. The most notable characteristic of this flowering shrub is that flowers of three distinct colors appear on the bush simultaneously as the blooms color cycle independent of one another. Single and double flowered varieties are available, both having quite large blossoms that are 3-5 in (8 – 13 cm) across.
After flowering a round, hairy capsule forms which dries and releases fuzzy seeds, a trait that inspired one of the plants common names, rose cotton as the buds resemble the boll of that famous member of the hibiscus family. There is always great demand in garden centers for the Confederate Rose when it is in full bloom, for it is one of the most imposing and unusual of flowering trees.
Culture:
Little to no care required. This shrub truly takes care of itself and is adaptable to most locations and soil conditions. Sun or light shifting shade.
Hardiness:
USDA Zones 7-9
Features:
Three attributes make this a highly desirable shrub – it is drought tolerant, low maintenance and has spectacular flowers at a time of year when not many other woody ornamentals are happening. True to its botanical name (mutabilis), it is mutable, it’s flowers changing color with age. Information Per floridata.com
Some growers suggest growing Confederate Roses among other shrubs. To keep them in scale, prune back all of the stems to within a foot of the ground each winter. By October the shrub is about 7 ft (2 m) tall and covered with blossoms and buds.
Malvacea Hibiscus mutabalis
November 2009 Plant Study Subject
Description The Confederate Rose is a large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree that grows to 15 ft high with about a 10 ft spread. Neither a Confederate (it hails from China but has taken a liking to the US southland), nor a rose (it’s in Malvaceae, the hibiscus family). Dropping its leaves in winter the shrub’s slender stems seem to disappear among neighboring plants until midsummer, when it leafs out into a big bushy mass. The large leaves are 5 – 7 in, bright green, hairy on the undersides and deeply lobed. They impart a coarse texture that gives the plant a distinctive eye-catching appeal. Hibiscus mutabilis is downright conspicuous when in full bloom starting in late summer and on into fall. The flowers open pure white and change color over a three-day period until they are deep pink and then as they die assume a dark “blue-pink” hue. The most notable characteristic of this flowering shrub is that flowers of three distinct colors appear on the bush simultaneously as the blooms color cycle independent of one another. Single and double flowered varieties are available, both having quite large blossoms that are 3-5 in (8 – 13 cm) across. After flowering a round, hairy capsule forms which dries and releases fuzzy seeds, a trait that inspired one of the plants common names, rose cotton as the buds resemble the boll of that famous member of the hibiscus family. There is always great demand in garden centers for the Confederate Rose when it is in full bloom, for it is one of the most imposing and unusual of flowering trees.
Culture: Little to no care required. This shrub truly takes care of itself and is adaptable to most locations and soil conditions. Sun or light shifting shade. Hardiness: USDA Zones 7-9. Features: Three attributes make this a highly desirable shrub – it is drought tolerant, low maintenance and has spectacular flowers at a time of year when not many other woody ornamentals are happening. True to its botanical name (mutabilis), it is mutable, it’s flowers changing color with age. Information Per floridata.com
Some growers suggest growing Confederate Roses among other shrubs. To keep them in scale, prune back all of the stems to within a foot of the ground each winter. By October the shrub is about 7 ft (2 m) tall and covered with blossoms and buds.
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