Hibiscus mutabilis, widely known as Confederate Rose, is a stunning addition to your garden that will captivate with its dramatic color-changing blooms and lush foliage. This plant, though native to China, thrives in USDA zones 7-11 across the southeastern United States, making it a beloved choice for Southern landscapes. Despite its misleading name, it belongs to the Malvaceae family, demonstrating its unique place within the hibiscus family without actually being a rose.
Hibiscus mutabilis is a hardy perennial, rapidly growing into a substantial shrub or small tree reaching 6-15 feet in height with a 6-10 foot spread. Its defining feature is the flowers' remarkable color transition, opening white or light pink and deepening to dark pink and red within a single day. With large, deeply lobed palmate leaves and impressive 4-6 inch blooms, it offers a stunning display from late summer into the fall.
Ideal as a specimen plant or in mixed shrub borders, Confederate Rose prefers full sun, well-drained loamy soil, and appreciates some relief from harsh afternoon sun in hotter climates. For best performances, prune after fall blooms for rejuvenated spring growth. It’s drought-tolerant once established, yet benefits from consistent watering during the peak growing season. Deer-resistant and easy to propagate by cuttings, this low-maintenance gem has earned the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society, ensuring it will be the talk of the neighborhood when in full bloom.
