A unique feature of the confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) is its color-changing flowers. This shrubby rose bush blooms starting as white in the morning, turn pink at midday, and end red by the end of the day. This is a common plant species and although it is native to Southeast China, it can now be found on every continent except Antarctica.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Hibiscus mutabilis, also known as the Confederate rose, Dixie rosemallow, cotton rose or cotton rosemallow, is a plant long cultivated for its showy flowers. Originally native to southern China, it is now found on all continents except Antarctica.
Confederate roses tend to be shrubby or treelike in zones 9 and 10, though they behave more like perennials further north. Flowers can be double or single and are 4–6 in (10–15 cm) in diameter; they open white or pink, and change to deep red by evening. The ‘Rubra’ variety has red flowers. Single blooming flowers are generally cup-shaped. Bloom season usually lasts from summer through fall. When it does not freeze, the Confederate rose can reach heights of 12–15 ft (3.7–4.6 m) with a woody trunk; however, a much bushier plant 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) high is more typical and provides more flowering.
The flowers are attractive to pollinators, including the specialized bee Ptilothrix bombiformis.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
For best growth, plant your cotton rose in a spot that gets full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. The shrub also can tolerate partial shade, though it might not flower as profusely.
Temperature and Humidity
Cotton rose will lose it’s leaves and die back after a hard frost. Wait until later winter or early spring to prune, which will help stimulate new growth in the spring. In warmer coastal areas, it may overwinter.
Watering
Cotton rose plants should have proper drainage and thrive best in moist soil, but some can survive periods of drought. Maintain moist soil throughout the year—even in winter. As long as the soil does not completely dry out, especially the top two inches, a moderate amount of watering should be enough for this plant. Too much watering can cause disease, such as fungal growth.
Soil
This shrub can grow in most soils with good drainage. But it does best in a loamy soil that’s rich in organic matter. A neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH is ideal.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer isn’t essential unless you have poor soil, but it can help to speed growth. Use a balanced fertilizer during the growing season, following label instructions.
Planting Instructions
The best planting season for confederate rose is during fall while it is still warm. This allows the root to recover in warm soil, encouraging vigorous growth the following year. A location that receives sufficient sunlight and is slightly shaded in the afternoon is best for planting confederate rose, depending on the local sunshine projection.
All weeds should first be removed before planting, and then a planting pit can be dug. The pit should be at least twice the diameter of the root ball and attached soil, and slightly deeper than the root ball’s height.
For potting, try to choose a dwarf variety and the largest flowerpot possible. The flowerpot should be of sufficient weight and stability, with stone pots preferred. Pot depth should be at least 1.5 times the depth of the root ball. The diameter should be 1/6-1/4 of the height of the adult plant. Place 3 cm of rough stones at the flowerpot bottom for better drainage.
Sort and scatter the root ball, place it in the flowerpot or planting pit, and then gradually backfill and compact the soil. Cut off any diseased, damaged, inward-growing, or crossed branches and other branches that affect the plant’s shape. Water thoroughly and spread a 5 to 7 cm layer of decomposed medium or crushed bark. If the plant is a standard seedling type with a single trunk, insert a stake before planting to support the plant.
Pruning
You will not need extensive pruning. An annual shearing of dead branches to promote new growth should be enough. If your cotton rose bush becomes unsightly, you can cut diseased or dead branches to the ground as fresh sprouts will take their place.
Propagation
Cotton rose can be propagated by stem cuttings. Not only is this a cheap and easy way to get new plants, but it also allows you to put any stems that you pruned off to good use. The best time to take cuttings is in the late winter to early spring. Here’s how:
- Trim off a piece of healthy stem that’s around 1 to 1.5 feet long. Cut just below a leaf node, and make your cut at a 45-degree angle.
- Dip the cut end in the rooting hormone.
- Plant the cutting in a moist soilless potting mix. Use a 1-gallon container with drainage holes.
- Place the container in a bright, south-facing window or in a sheltered area that gets partial sun outside if you live in a warmer climate.
- Keep the soil lightly moist but never waterlogged, and roots should form in roughly four to six weeks.
How to Grow from Seed
Cotton rose seeds need to be scarified before they can germinate. Here’s how to grow cotton rose by seed:
- First, scarify the seeds by gently nicking the seed coat with a knife or by rubbing with a nail file, but be careful not to damage the inner seed.
- Soak the nicked seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
- Fill seed starting pots with well draining, seed-starting potting soil, and press seeds into the soil without burying them.
- Keep seeds in a warm spot (70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) with the soil evenly moist but not wet.
- Once the roots have developed and the seedings have a few sets of leaves, they can be planted outdoors in bigger pots or in the ground after the last frost has past in the spring.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Cotton rose is susceptible to some common garden pests, including aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites, and scale. Infestations often can be treated with insecticidal soaps or even a strong spray of water.
Common diseases include leaf spot, southern stem blight, and powdery mildew. Remove any stems with signs of fungal growth. Also, aim to prevent fungal diseases by watering only at the base of the plant and maintaining good air flow around it.
Common Problems With Cotton Rose
When grown in the conditions it likes, cotton rose isn’t prone to serious problems. However, an inadequate environment can lead to some common issues.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing leaves can often be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Make sure the soil is never waterlogged. But on the flip side, plan to water a little extra in hot weather.
Plant Leaves Falling Off
In the warmest parts of its growing zones, this shrub often holds onto its leaves year-round. But during the winter months in its cooler zones, it will naturally drop some or all of its leaves. This isn’t cause for concern, as it will regrow come spring. However, leaf drop during the growing season can be a sign of inadequate watering or disease.
Potting and Repotting
It’s possible to grow cotton rose in a pot, but this likely will stunt the shrub’s growth and diminish its blooms. Also, note that container plants generally need more frequent watering than those grown in the ground.
Use a quality all-purpose potting mix with good drainage. And select a container that allows for at least a few inches of extra space on all sides of the plant’s root ball. The container also should have drainage holes. Unglazed clay is a good material to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls. But you might want to consider using a grow bag because it will be lighter to move.
When you see roots coming out of the drainage holes and popping up from the soil line, it’s time to repot. It’s best to do this in the spring. Choose a container size up, and add fresh soil around the root ball.
Overwintering
In the colder parts of cotton rose’s growing zones, the stems often naturally die back over the winter. But the shrub still should produce fresh growth in the spring. Plan to prune off the stems that have died back in the late winter to early spring. If you do it earlier as part of your garden’s overwintering maintenance, this can damage the shrub.
If you’re growing your cotton rose in a container and live in the cooler parts of its growing zones, bring it into an unheated garage or shed over the winter. This will help to prevent the container soil from getting too cold and damaging the plant’s roots.
III. Uses and Benefits
Confederate rose is a very showy species of Hibiscus that thrives in warm, humid climates. It is chosen by gardeners for its beautiful blooms, which look more like roses than typical trumpet-shaped hibiscus flowers. These unique flowers actually change color throughout the day, turning dark red by nightfall, making them even more interesting for gardeners. This plant is generally used as a specimen planting or blooming hedge, but is also attractive to bees and other pollinators, making it a good addition to wildlife gardens.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
The single flower of rose of sharon only blooms for a day and then withers. It is best to pick flowers that have just blossomed at sunrise. The fruit harvest time of Roselle is usually in late fall, one month after blooming. At that point, its sepals are fully developed, turning dark purple before the lower leaves start falling. The fruits can be cut off from the stem base with sharp scissors after the morning dew is dry.
