Grandiflora
Family
Malvaceae
Botanical Name
HIBISCUS mutabilis
Plant Common Name
Confederate-rose, Cotton-rose
General Description
Large maple-like leaves are a handsome foil for confederate rose's flowers as they change from white to pink and finally red-pink in one day. Although an evergreen large shrub native to China, it has long been a staple of gardens in the American South, the reason it is called the confederate rose or cotton rose.
It is a tall, rounded shrub with sparse branches and large three to seven lobed leaves covered by tiny hairs that make them feel fuzzy and look dull dark green or grayish green. Flowering occurs on the new stems beginning as early as late spring, depending on climate. The five-petaled white flowers open in small clusters or alone. The flowers age from white to pink, and eventually to a red-pink or lavender-blue. Often all these colors are present on the shrub as new and old blossoms both are displayed.
Grow the confederate rose in full sun in a moist, fertile soil that has good drainage. It is tolerant of partial sun exposures and poorer soils, but the overall plant shape and flowering will likely be reduced. Since flowering occurs only on new growth, and stems tend to look quite coarse or leggy, plan on pruning back the shrub annually in early spring to allow it to come back full and dense. In subtropical, frost-free areas it will easily become a small tree and remain evergreen. The plant will become deciduous after a frost, dropping its leaves. With hard freezes the stems die back to the ground. To promote continued flowering, remove the developing hairy seed capsules.
Use confederate rose as an accent shrub in the mixed border or spacious foundation bed, or as an informal hedge or screen. There are cultivars available like the red of 'Rubrus' or white of 'Albus.'
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
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Width
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
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Native To
China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Pink, Light Pink, Rose, Gray, Silver
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
