Plant Calculator
Enter the approximate length and width of the area you will be planting and click 'Calculate' to determine how many Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. palustris you will need.
Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions. We encourage you to call us at 877-ECO-PLUG for project specific recommendations and further assistance.
Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. palustris
rose mallow
A robust native perennial that blooms from mid-summer into early fall, producing large pink flowers with a deep red center. It’s well suited for rain gardens, pond margins, and naturalized wet areas. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds!
Green Infrastructure
| • | Bioretention/Rain Garden |
Wetland Indicator Status
| • | Obligate Wetland (OBL) |
Plug Type
| • | Landscape Plug™ |
Propagation Type
| • | Seed cultivar |
Additional Information about Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. palustris
A tall, herbaceous perennial native to wetlands of eastern and central North America, commonly found along marshes, pond margins, riverbanks, and other seasonally saturated habitats. It forms upright clumps of coarse stems with broad, ovate to heart-shaped leaves that may be shallowly lobed and softly hairy. In mid to late summer, large saucer-shaped flowers open in shades of soft pink with a darker crimson eye, creating a bold display that continues into early fall.
This subspecies is well adapted to consistently moist or wet soils and can tolerate periodic flooding, making it well suited for rain gardens, pond edges, and naturalized wetland plantings. The flowers attract a range of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and each bloom lasts only a day but is quickly replaced by new buds over several weeks. As a hardy perennial, the stems die back in winter while the plant reemerges from the crown in late spring, eventually producing showy late-season color and seed capsules.
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. palustris
Thrives in full sun and is adaptable to average, medium to wet soils. It performs best in consistently moist, organically rich ground but is also tolerant of typical garden soils, provided they are not allowed to dry out.
