The Wilson Display Garden, located at the Agricultural Center, 1806 South Goldsboro Street, is open from sunrise to sunset. Come and visit during the late afternoon or evening and the garden is even shaded!

The plant of the month is Hibiscus moscheutos or Rose Mallow Hibiscus. This shrub is located the behind the signs to the left upon entering the garden.

This shrub can reach 3-8 feet in height but typically stays about 5 feet. It grows as a large multi-stemmed shrub. The leaves can be up to 8 inches long and lobed. They are green above and can be white or hairy beneath.

The flowers of Rose Mallow are single. Each petal is 3 to 5 inches long which creates a 6-12 inch wide flower. The flower has been described as the size of a dinner plate. Flower colors range from red, white, pink and even bi-colored. Each flower only lasts one day like daylilies but the plant sets many flower buds so you can get a long flowering season from mid-summer to frost. Deadheading spent flowers will keep this plant more attractive in appearance.

Plant Rose Mallow in full sun to partial shade. Hibiscus can tolerate moist conditions, and in fact, is naturalized to wetland areas in our coastal regions.

Best when used as a single specimen in the border. It's stems are durable and can withstand windy areas and rarely needs staking. Rose Mallow would also do well around a pond.

You can propagate this plant from seeds sown in spring or fall. Division in spring or fall is the usual method of propagating cultivars so you get a true to form plant.

Rose Mallow can have it's share of pest problems including leaf spots, canker, rust, blight, aphids, and scale but usual are not severe. White fly and Japanese beetles though may need some control measures.

There are many cultivars of this plant. 'Southern Belle' has red, pink, or white flowers and stands 4-6 feet tall. 'Ann Arundel' has large pink flowers. 'Poinsettia' as it's name suggests has red flowers and stands 5 feet tall.

Rose Mallow is very hardy in Wilson although can die back in the winter like perennials. Rose Mallow does well in any garden soil but if you have a moist area you should try this plant out.

Home gardening questions can be answered by Master Gardener Volunteers on Mondays and Fridays from 1-3 PM at 237- 0113.

Date Created: 12/12/00.