Halberd Leaved Rose Mallow
An impressive plant with large tropical-looking flowers, this member of the Mallow family is easy to distinguish by its sword-like leaves. Besides the leaves, Halberd Leaved Rose Mallow (hibiscus laevis) is famous for its large 5” flowers that attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and moths …
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Moist, Wet |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Height | 3' - 6' |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Time | July, Aug, Sep |
| Spacing | 2' |
| Hardiness Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Root Type | Rhizome |
| Benefits | Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Host Plant, Deer Resistant |
An impressive plant – up to 6’ high – with large tropical-looking flowers, this member of the Mallow family is easy to distinguish by its sword-like leaves. Besides the leaves, Halberd Leaved Rose Mallow (hibiscus laevis) is famous for its large 5” flowers that attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and moths. Individual blooms last for one day, which results in an extended bloom period of a month or more. This wetland native prefers moist soil and tolerates periodic flooding. Habitat destruction has impacted it’s presence in some parts of the mid-atlantic where it has a “special concern” status.
Halberd Leaved Rose Mallow has a large root system but it spreads by seed. It's a good choice for pond margins or water features, but also does well in fertile garden soil. Good companions include Boneset, Joe Pye weed, cattails and sedges. Numerous lepidoptera use this mallow as a host plant, including the Automeris Io, Gray Hairstreak, and Straight Lined Mallow moth.
