Hibiscus moscheutos (Hardy Hibiscus)

Vigorous and robust, Hibiscus moscheutos (Hardy Hibiscus) is a tall, shrubby, woody-based perennial boasting huge hollyhock-like flowers, up to 8 in. across (20 cm), with spreading petals in white, rose, or pink, sometimes with a sharply contrasting red or burgundy eye. Each flower has a conspicuous, protruding, creamy-white to pale yellow staminal column. Blooming from midsummer to early fall, the blossoms last about 1-2 days, but new flowers open each day in rapid succession until late in the season. A large plant can produce 20 or more blossoms per day at the peak of bloom. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. 28 butterfly and moth species use this plant as a caterpillar host plant. But even without these gorgeous blooms, this plant is worth growing for the handsome foliage of large, heart-shaped leaves, 4-10 in. in length (10-25 cm), with toothed margins and white-hairy undersides. Hibiscus moscheutos is a strikingly showy North American species that has been a favorite garden perennial for decades.

• Typically grows with an upright habit, up to 3-7 ft. tall (90-210 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 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. Prefers moist, organically rich soils but can be grown in standing water, up to 6 in. (15 cm) deep.
• Tolerant of heat and humidity. Site in locations protected from wind to minimize the risk of wind burn.
• Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
• Plant in shrub borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great flowering shrub along streams or ponds or in large containers.
• Keep an eye out for leaf spots, blights, rusts, canker, and Japanese beetles.
• Cut down to near ground level in late autumn.
• Propagate by seed or by division in spring.
• Native to marshes, swamps, moist meadows, and woods from Ontario and Massachusetts south to Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, and Florida.