Rose Mallow

Description:

Culture Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Best in moist, organically rich soils, but does surprisingly well in average garden soils as long as those soils are not allowed to dry out. Regular deep watering is advisable. Tolerates some light shade, but full sun with good air circulation produces the best flowers, strongest stems and best environment for resisting potential diseases. Site in locations protected from strong winds to minimize risk of wind burn. Growing tips may be pinched when they reach 8” and again at 12” to promote bushiness, although ‘Luna Red’ by reputation branches well without pinching. Deadhead individual flowers to maintain plant appearance. Cut back stems to approximately 3-4” tall in late autumn. New growth shoots are slow to emerge in spring. However, once new growth begins, it proceeds rapidly. Plants will benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season. ‘Luna Red’ may be grown from seed. Noteworthy Characteristics ‘Luna Red’ is a vigorous, sturdy, rounded, somewhat shrubby, woody-based hibiscus (or rose mallow) cultivar. It is a seed variety that is more compact than the species, typically growing to only 2-3’ tall. It features dinner plate-sized, five-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers (7-8” diameter). Flowers are deep burgundy red. Each flower has a prominent and showy creamy white to pale yellow central staminal column. Individual flowers last only one day, but one or more flowers usually open each day, in succession, over a long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Flowers are among the largest produced by any perennial that is winter hardy to the St. Louis area. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to leaf spots, blights, rusts and canker. Japanese beetles, whiteflies and aphids are occasional insect visitors. Japanese beetles can severely damage foliage if left unchecked. Leaf scorch will occur if soils are allowed to dry out. Healthy plants grown in the proper environment usually do not need staking. Garden Uses Borders. Specimen, group or mass. Temporary hedge. Useful in low spots or wet areas in the landscape. Effective along streams or ponds. This compact variety may be grown in containers.

Habitat:

Zone 5 to 9 Dry or moist conditions 24-36" height plant 24" apart Full Sun Blooms midsummer to early fall

Notes:

Common Name: hardy hibiscus Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Malvaceae Zone: 5 to 9 Height: 2 to 3 feet Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet Bloom Time: July to September Bloom Color: Red Bloom Description: Deep burgandy red Sun: Full sun Water: Medium to wet Maintenance: Low Flowers: Showy Flowers Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies Tolerates: Wet Soil, Deer Uses: Rain Garden