swamp rose mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos

The swamp rose mallow is a beautiful flower that grows in wet areas. Its big, colorful blooms can be pink, white, or red, and they attract butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The swamp rose mallow has giant, showy flowers, typically white or pink with a deep crimson center, growing on sturdy green stems. Its broad, heart-shaped leaves are often fuzzy, giving it a distinctive soft texture among wetland plants.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusHibiscus

swamp rose mallow

Interesting facts

Even though it loves swamps, this plant can also grow well in regular garden soil.

Hummingbirds love to stick their long beaks deep inside its giant flowers for a sweet treat!

Its scientific name, 'Hibiscus', comes from an ancient Greek word for marsh mallow.

Some swamp rose mallow flowers can be bigger than a dinner plate!

Special abilities

Swamp rose mallow can thrive in wet, boggy soils thanks to its roots that tolerate low oxygen conditions.

Its enormous, vibrant flowers act like giant targets, attracting thirsty bees and hummingbirds for nectar.

Swamp rose mallow has fuzzy leaf undersides that help it reduce water loss during hot, sunny days.

Measurements & details

Height: 90-210 cm
Spread: 60-120 cm
Flower Size: 10-25 cm
Bloom Season: Summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

feeds on flower nectar

pollinates

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

sips nectar from blooms

parasitizes

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

sucks sap from leaves

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.