Swamp hibiscus, Swamp rosemallow
Hibiscus grandiflorus
Malvaceae


Landscape Uses:

An accent shrub along pond and lake edges.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

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


Roger L. Hammer
Wes Jurgens
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Keith A. Bradley
Keith A. Bradley
Keith A. Bradley