A Rose Is Not A Rose?

The Confederate Rose is one of my favorite fall bloomers. It's huge showy 4-6 inch diameter blooms will stop most gardeners in their tracks. However, the most amazing feature to me is not the bloom size but the variances of the bloom colors all on one plant. (see picture above). 

Hibiscus mutabilis, "Confederate Rose", is an old-fashioned perennial or shrub that is not a rose at all. It is an Hibiscus.  The scientific name Mutabilis means "variable or changeable".  The Confederate Rose blooms change colors from white in the morning, pink in the afternoon and deep red when they close. Some specimens open pink and have varying shades of pink until it closes a dark burgundy red. Either way, this stunning shrub with amazing double and single blooms of varying colors can be seen in many southern landscapes this time of year. It blooms from fall to late winter.

The name also has an interesting story. There are a few tales that have been passed on suggesting the history of the name "Confederate Rose".  One story suggests that the shrub was in bloom during a particularly bloody battle of the Civil War. A slain soldier fell beside a Confederate rose, and his blood spilled into the ground at the base of shrub. The flowers, which had started out white in the morning, absorbed the slain soldier's blood throughout the day, so that by evening they had turned a deep, rosy red.  Another story simplifies the name by saying it is most commonly grown in the southern United States. The plant is also known as "cotton rose" due to its buds, which resemble cotton bolls. (funny enough...I have a picture of one. Last year a cotton farmer did show-n-tell with a cotton boll that was full of seeds, so this year, I planted it)

cotton boll in my garden. The leaves do look similar

Grown in full sun easily 20ft high

 I was surprised to learn the average height is usually 6-8 ft and can be grown in part shade to sun. I am told it can be grown farther north but will be more shrub like. As you can see above my plant is easily 20ft with a 10 ft diameter. Every winter, I prune the base to 4-5ft and collect all the fuzzy seed balls thinking I will plant them throughout the property. However, I find the most easy way to propagate one of these is to cut off the soft summer growth about 6 inches from the tip and put it in some water. The following spring you will have a new little confederate rose to start.  

notice the double bloom

the dark red closed blooms. There are many blooms on one stem.

This is a favorite "passalong" plant ( http://www.amazon.com/Passalong-Plants-Steve-Bender/dp/0807844187 ) for most southern gardeners. So, if you see one of these in your neighbors garden I am sure they won't mind giving you a cutting.  After all, southern gardeners are known for their hospitality and generosity!

Happy Gardening!

Nicki