now in bloom...winter hardy hibiscus..rose mallow, swamp mallow

The Mallow family (Malvaceae) has over 100 relatives. Okra is a native of Ethiopia which is also home to beans, peas, and coffee. Cotton is another genra. The Blue Mahoe of Jamaica is a large tree with 6 inch orange/yellow flowers that turn crimson during the day. It is used for cabinet making and is also native to Cuba where the inner bark is used for cigar wrap. Other genera include Rose of Sharon. Hollyhock and of course, Hibiscus. The Hibiscus genus has 200+ species including Tropical Hibiscus with thousands of varieties; and, the North American Moscheutos also called Swamp Mallow. Popular Hardy Hibiscus offerings are almost all based on Moscheutos. Here's how they differ from Tropical Hibiscus: It is a woody perenniel, dies back in winter. Last for at least 10 seasons. Actually requires cold weather. Plant wintering evidentally involves production of hormones required for spring growth and flowering. Propagate by cuttings, some by seeds. Water heavily until established. Does very well in wet soil, full sun. Tolerates drought. Buds are 2-4 inches long. Has large flowers up to 12 inches: white, pink, red, plum, no yellows and last 1 day. Relatively few varieties, no doubles. When they die back in winter, prune dead foliage, and when the ground is frozen, mulch heavily to keep it cold. They will probably be the last thing to sprout in the next Spring, fertilize early and lightly tip-prune after initial growth. But they grow rapidly up to 8 ft in height. Disease resistant, but look out for spider mites and Japanese beetles. On the internet you can use a special Google search to locate books containing information about hardy hibiscus. Much of the above information is based upon the book, Hibiscus, by Barbara Lawton Perry. Der Roseneibisch (Hibiscus moscheutos), auch Sumpfeibisch genannt, ist eine Pflanzenart aus der Gattung Hibiskus (Hibiscus) in der Familie der Malvengewchse (Malvaceae). Es ist eine winterharte, mehrjhrige krautige Pflanze. Sie erreicht Wuchshhen bis ber 2 Meter. Die oberirdischen Pflanzenteile sterben im Winter ab; die Pflanze treibt im Frhling neu aus dem Wurzelstock aus. Die Bltter sind ungeteilt; sie sind 15 bis 20 cm lang und 5 bis 7 cm breit. Die Bltter sind auf der Unterseite samtig behaart, auf der Oberseite unbehaart. Die Blten sind etwa handtellergro; sie erreichen Durchmesser von etwa 15 Zentimetern, bei vielen Zuchtformen jedoch auch bis zu 30 cm. Sie sind wei oder rosa, teilweise zart dunkelrosa berhaucht, in der Mitte um den Stempel hellrosa bis dunkelkarmin schattiert. Die einzelne Blte blht nur einen Tag lang. Es gibt keine Befruchtungsinsekten hierzulande; H. moscheutos stammt aus Nordamerika. Sources from wikipedia and Barbara Perry Lawton Book "Hibiscus" pyblished by Timber press. Pictures are from my garden.