Rose mallow

Check out the sunny wet areas along our roadsides and

you can’t miss them. This early July heat is speeding their

maturity, but they look like they are hanging tough. Huge

white or pink blooms now adorn our landscape. Individual

flowers have five equal petals and can be eight inches

across.

Rose mallow, sometimes called perennial hibiscus or

wild cotton, is a fast-growing perennial that can grow up

to seven feet tall. Plants die back to the ground each

year. Stems are somewhat hairy and sport large toothed

edged leaves with reddish veins which are triangular to

heart shaped. Close botanical relatives are hollyhock, rose

of Sharon, tropical hibiscus, okra, and cotton.

Perennial hibiscuses are gorgeous on our roadsides and

can make colorful additions to our gardens. They are long

lived and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooming

from late June to early September, color can be quite

prolific if old flowers are removed. Seeds ripen from

August to October and can be collected and planted in our

gardens in the spring.

These plants are also easily propagated by cuttings.

They can be successfully transplanted if dug when they are

dormant. Just don’t steal them from someone else.

This perennial is great for sunny areas with moist

soil. They tolerate a wide pH range. The huge blooms make a

stunning backdrop when used with shorter plants. Rose

mallow is not overly invasive and won’t take over an area

like some tall perennials can.

They are often late to emerge in spring, so don’t get

concerned if they are late to show themselves. That might

even be an advantage when planted with early spring bulbs

like daffodils. The simple fact that mallows thrive in wet

areas may be enough for some gardeners to try them.

Japanese beetles, aphids and a few species of moths

are common pests, but severe infestations are rare.

Bacterial leafspot and gray mold can sometimes be a problem

too, but plants are relatively disease resistant. These

perennial hibiscuses aren’t as prone to scale as the

tropical types either and since they die down to the ground

each year, they don’t provide protection for overwintering

pests.

Flowers are edible and make a pleasing mild tea high

in vitamin C. It is used medicinally to treat urinary

problems. It has strong diuretic properties; thus, it

increases urine flow.

Leaf extracts are even used in some shampoos. Numerous

claims boast that chemicals in the hibiscus improve hair

strength and the mucilage is good for the skin. Hibiscus

extracts have been used externally to treat eczema. Leaf

mucilage would thicken soups and sauces if used in them.

Foliage is somewhat hairy and quite bland and not used much

for that purpose, but no parts of the plant are poisonous.

Other Hibiscus species are used in commercial herb

teas. You can even use Rose of Sharon and the tropical type

hibiscus too. Some use the leaves as a garnish or in

salads.