Swamp hibiscus, Swamp rosemallow
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Hibiscus grandiflorus
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Malvaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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An accent shrub along pond and lake edges. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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A rather infrequent element in marshes and the edges of freshwater swamps. |
Availability: |
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Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida. Available in Naples at Everglades Native Designs. |
Description: |
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Medium erect shrub. |
Height: |
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Typically 6-8 feet in height. Usually taller than broad. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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Southeastern United States west to Texas and south to Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland. |
Habitats: |
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Swamps, wet thickets and marshes. |
Soils: |
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Wet, moderately well-drained to poorly-drained organic soils. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
Flower Color: |
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Light purple or pink with a dark purple or reddish-purple center. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Showy. |
Flowering Season: |
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Spring-summer. |
Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous dry capsule. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds, orioles and other birds. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed. |
Comments: |
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See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page. |
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