Hibiscus mutabilis L.

Confederate Rose

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Confederate Rose is an introduced shrub in the Hibiscus family (Malvaceae). It is native to China. In Alabama it is widely cultivated and occasionally escapes or persists. Confederate Rose can be found around old hone sites, on roadsides, and in wetlands. It is a multi-trunked shrub reaching 20 feet in height. In Alabama it is usually cold killed back to near ground level each winter. The stems are erect, little branched, and pubescent on the new growth. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate in outline, 3-7 lobed, entire to sparsely toothed, and pubescent with simple and stellate hairs. Flowers are solitary in the axils of the upper leaves. The most commonly cultivated form in Alabama has double flowers. The flowers open with white petals that slowly change color over the course of a day to deep pink. Some varieties have flowers that do not change color. The fruit is a capsule. Confederate Rose is commonly available from nurseries. It can also be rooted from stem cuttings and large plants can be divided in the winter. It prefers a sunny site with moist soil.—A. Diamond

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Not Native

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