Lafayette County Master Gardeners: Confederate Rose Hibiscus

by Bronwynne Bailey

Hibiscus plants offer a rainbow of colors and petal shapes, each variety contributing a vivid and impactful display for your garden. Among the diverse types, the hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a tall shrub with 6–9-inch blooms, adding a dramatic flair to your landscape. The tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) unfolds its petals to display dramatic colors, creating a stunning focal point. Meanwhile, the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) graces gardens with its sturdy, deciduous presence, extending a delicate beauty that evolves with the changing seasons. The fourth and last hibiscus in this series focuses on a woody species, (Hibiscus mutabilis) or confederate rose, a southern favorite.

Hibiscus plants offer a rainbow of colors and petal shapes, each variety contributing a vivid and impactful display for your garden. Among the diverse types, the hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a tall shrub with 6–9-inch blooms, adding a dramatic flair to your landscape. The tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) unfolds its petals to display dramatic colors, creating a stunning focal point. Meanwhile, the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) graces gardens with its sturdy, deciduous presence, extending a delicate beauty that evolves with the changing seasons. The fourth and last hibiscus in this series focuses on a woody species, (Hibiscus mutabilis) or confederate rose, a southern favorite.

Color-changing hibiscus blooms are worth the wait!

The fourth and last column in our hibiscus series focuses on a woody species, Hibiscus mutabilis or Confederate Rose. The large bright green deeply lobed leaves are big and fuzzy on the undersides. Beginning in the summer and through the fall, Confederate Rose is in its prime producing hundreds of blooms with varying shades of white, pink, and deep pink per plant. 

Its botanical name, Hibiscus mutabilis, refers to the ever-changing flower colors. Beginning in late summer, the flowers open white, and then turn pink and finally a bright red as they senesce at the end of the day. The plants produce hundreds of blooms per plant. As the old flowers fade, there are new ones opening. On a typical day, there will be loads of flowers in varying shades of white, pink, and deep pink.

Colors and Varieties

Confederate Rose is an heirloom plant but not a native plant since it originated in Taiwan and China. Heirloom plants are also called pass-along plants as they were commonly shared between neighbors and friends. It is also known as the Confederate rose because, according to legend, the flowers soaked up the blood spilled on battlefields during the Civil War. It is also known by other common names such as Cotton rose or Cotton Rose Mallow. These plants are also deer-resistant.

• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Coton Rose Nagoya’ has white flowers.
• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Tri-Color’ changes color from white, to pink, to deep pink within two days, with all three colors appearing on the plant at the same time. It grows up to fifteen feet high and up to twelve feet wide.
• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Plenus’ has 4- to 6-inch wide, double pink flowers. The blooms start out white and turn pink within the day. It grows up to fifteen feet high to twelve feet wide. 
• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Rubrum’ has 6-inch wide, deep pink to red flowers with yellow centers, and large green heart-shaped leaves, and grows seven feet tall and four feet wide.

Growth Habits

Confederate rose has the potential to be a large, foundation, landscape plant, typically reaching greater than ten feet tall. This plant is a green, woody shrub for most of summer, as it will not start to bloom until late August or early September. This plant thrives in USDA zones 7-11.

Soil Preferences

The Confederate Rose is adaptable to various soil types but thrives in well-drained, loamy soil. Incorporate organic matter into the planting area to enhance the soil and drainage. This plant tolerates many soil conditions but a slightly alkaline to neutral pH is optimal.

Planting Depth & Spacing

When planting a Confederate Rose, aim for a planting depth that aligns with the root ball’s level with the soil surface. Spacing is crucial to allow for proper growth and prevent competition for nutrients. Provide at least eight to ten feet between plants to allow them to reach their full potential.

Watering

Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep, healthy roots. It needs a consistently moist planting bed (even in winter) but does not like wet feet. The leaves are large and may look wilted during our hot Mississippi summer days. The leaves will freshen overnight if you maintain consistent soil moisture.

Fertilizing

Fertilize in early spring by applying a granular fertilizer according to the label. Reapply each spring. 

Pruning

In a normal winter, this plant will die back to the ground after a hard frost and will emerge from winter dormancy to shoot up 8 to 10 feet or more the next season. If pruning for shape or size, prune in the winter after its fall blooms fade. Next season’s flowers will appear on new growth. 

Propagation

Propagation via cuttings root easiest in early spring, but cuttings can be taken at almost any time. Choose a four-to-six-inch stem with new growth, lightly scarify (wound) the lower edge using a potato peeler, dip the wounded end in rooting powder, and stick it into a good potting mix. Place the cutting outside out of direct sun and keep moist.