Confederate Rose Hibiscus
Hibiscus mutabilis 'Plena'
Other Names: Dixie Rosemallow, Cotton Rose, Cotton Rosemallow, Hardy Hibiscus
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-11  
Plant Type:  Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Tree
Height at Maturity:  10-12'
Width at Maturity:  8-10'
Spacing:  8' for solid hedges;  16'+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form:  Upright, Rounded
Growth Rate:  Fast
Flower Color:  White, Light Pink, Dark Pink
Flower Size:  Large, 5-6"
Flowering Period:  Fall thru Early Winter
Flower Type:  Fully Double
Fragrant Flowers:  No
Foliage Color:  Green
Fragrant Foliage:  No
Berries:  No
Berry Color:  NA
Sun Needs:  Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs:  Average, water regularly during extreme heat or drought
Soil Type:  Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage:  Moist but well-drained
Soil pH:  5.5 - 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care:  Low to Average
Attracts:  Visual Attention
Resistances:  Deer- more info, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect
Unlike most hardy Hibiscus which bloom in summer, Confederate Rose produces its large and beautiful, peony-form flowers during the fall season. In our north-central gardens the flower buds start opening in October continuing all the way through late November to early December, depending on the weather. What's really neat is how the flowers change color after opening. They open pure white then gradually turning to darker shades of pink until ending up a deep rose-pink to nearly red. Because buds open at different times the result is all these different colors on the same plant at the same time.