Rose Mallow | Prairie Moon Nursery

The large, lovely and plentiful blossoms of Hibiscus laevis evoke associations with its more tropical cousins in southeast settings. The flowers are light pink, darkening toward the center and, like orchids, feature a central column that combines the flower’s sexual parts, pistil and stamens. Rose Mallow prefers sunny, wetter areas, where it is slow to develop in spring but grows and blooms dramatically in the heat of summer. Its thick stems transfer nutrients from a massive rootstock.

Other names in use are Hibiscus militaris, Smooth Rose Mallow and Halberd-leaved Rose Mallow (likening its lobed leaves to an ancient sword).