Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's Cap)
Turk's Cap, Drummond's Turk's Cap, Drummond Turk's Cap, Wax Mallow, Drummond's Wax Mallow, Drummond Wax Mallow, Red Mallow, Texas Mallow, Mexican Apple, Sleeping Hibiscus, Bleeding Hearts, Manzanita, Malvaviscus drummondii
Native to the southeastern U.S., Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's Cap) is an upright, subshrub to herbaceous perennial bearing a profusion of attractive, bright vermilion-red, hibiscus-like flowers, 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), with prominent stamens through the summer and into the fall. Borne at the tips of the stems, the twisted flowers never fully open, their petals overlapping to form a tube from which the showy red pistil protrudes. Reminiscent of a Turkish turban (hence their common name), they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The blossoms give way to marble-size, red berries which are edible either raw or cooked, tasting rather like apple. Birds and small mammals feast on them. The foliage of large, heart-shaped, downy leaves is evergreen in mild winter climates. Elsewhere, it freezes to the ground. Heat and drought tolerant, Turk's Cap is a good ornamental for shady gardens, woodlands or containers.
- Grows up to 2-5 ft. tall and wide (60-150 cm).
- A part shade lover, this plant is best grown in moist, loamy, well-drained soils. Will adapt to a wide range of growing conditions, including full sun, dry soils, and clay soils.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for whiteflies.
- Prune back after a couple years to make the plant bushier and control its size.
- Propagate by root division, seeds, softwood cuttings.
- Native to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas.
Buy Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's Cap)
Requirements
Hardiness | 7
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 6
– 12 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 5' (60cm – 150cm) |
Spread | 2' – 5' (60cm – 150cm) |
Spacing | 60" (150cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Southwest, Texas |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Steve Rainwater, Flickr, Shutterstock
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 7
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 6
– 12 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Exposure | Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 5' (60cm – 150cm) |
Spread | 2' – 5' (60cm – 150cm) |
Spacing | 60" (150cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Southwest, Texas |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |