Create Your Garden

Hibiscus lasiocarpos (Woolly Rose Mallow)

Woolly Rose-mallow, Woolly Mallow, Rose-mallow, False Cotton, Hibiscus californicus, Hibiscus lasiocarpos var. occidentalis, Hibiscus leucophyllus, Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. lasiocarpos, Hibiscus moscheutos var. occidentalis, Hibiscus platanoides

Hibiscus lasiocarpos, Hardy Hibiscus, Woolly Rose-mallow, Woolly Mallow, Rose-mallow, False Cotton, Native Hibiscus, White Hibiscus

Vigorous, Hibiscus lasiocarpos (Woolly Rose Mallow) is an upright, herbaceous perennial boasting very showy flowers, up to 4-6 in. across (10-15 cm), adorned with 5 white or pale pink petals and a contrasting crimson center. Each flower has a conspicuous, protruding, creamy-white to pale yellow staminal column. Blooming from mid-summer to fall, the blossoms open for a single day, but new flowers open each day in rapid succession until late in the season. The flowers are a nectar source for butterflies and other insects and a pollen and nectar source for a variety of bee species. The specialist bee, Ptilothrix bombiformis, uses this plant as a primary pollen source to feed its larvae. The blooms are followed by densely-hairy fruit capsules containing spherical seeds. Velvety to the touch, the foliage of heart-shaped, toothed, and pointed leaves, 3-4 in. long (7-10 cm), is covered by soft, dense hairs. Native to fresh and brackish marshes of the southern and eastern United States, it can be found growing along stream banks, lake edges, wet ditches, marshes, and flooded fields. Best grown in natural landscapes, native plant gardens or wetland gardens.

  • Typically grows with an upright habit, up to 3-7 ft. tall (90-210 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun in average, medium to wet soils. Tolerates some light shade but best flower production and disease resistance occur in full sun.
  • Tolerant of heat and humidity, but soil should be kept moist throughout the growing season. Will grow in standing water.
  • Plant in perennial borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great along streams or ponds, or in rain gardens.
  • Keep an eye out for blight, canker, rust, leaf spots, aphids, scale, whiteflies and Japanese beetle.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • Native to fresh and brackish marshes of the southern and eastern United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Malvaceae
Genus Hibiscus
Common names Rose Mallow, Hibiscus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 7'
(90cm - 210cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hibiscus
Guides with
Hibiscus
Not sure which Hibiscus to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Painted Lady’ (Tropical Hibiscus)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Fifth Dimension’ (Tropical Hibiscus)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Cooperi’ (Tropical Hibiscus)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Hula Girl’ (Tropical Hibiscus)
Hibiscus ‘Kopper King’ (Rose Mallow)
Hibiscus ‘Lord Baltimore’ (Rose Mallow)

Recommended Companion Plants

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)
Eutrochium fistulosum (Joe-Pye Weed)
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Panicum virgatum ‘Hanse Herms’ (Switch Grass)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

31 Best Bright-Light Indoor Plants to Transform Your Home
40 Tropical Plants for Your Outdoor Garden
30 Tropical Flowers for Your Garden or as House Plants
Small Trees and Shrubs That Bloom In Fall
Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
Hardy Hibiscus: How to Plant, Grow and Care
Hardy US Native Hibiscus to Grow
Tropical Hibiscus
Rose of Sharon: How to Grow and Care with Success
Native Plant Alternatives to Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Malvaceae
Genus Hibiscus
Common names Rose Mallow, Hibiscus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 7'
(90cm - 210cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hibiscus
Guides with
Hibiscus
Not sure which Hibiscus to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Hibiscus lasiocarpos (Woolly Rose Mallow) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Hibiscus lasiocarpos (Woolly Rose Mallow) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone