| The first Rose Mallow to bloom from seed THE FIRST YEAR -- no more waiting around for those huge, lovely blooms! And what a terrific variety it is, with 8-inch flowers that swirl open each morning to reveal a cranberry-red center, crepe-like white petaos, and lilac-pink markings that resemble the blades of a fan. Altogether an easy and very, very heavy-blooming sun-lover, it is icing on the cake that this native perennial is beloved by hummingbirds and shunned by deer! These flowers are the size of dinner plates, and they almost hide the foliage at the height of bloom season, crowding onto well-branched but compact plants just 2 to 3 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. Expect the first buds to unfurl in midsummer, followed by dozens more before the season ends in late fall. Luna™ Pink Swirl gleams in the late afternoon and twilight garden, its pure white tones outlasting the darker reds and purples of the sunny garden. It will put you in mind of luna moths, and is an excellent choice near the patio or deck where evening entertaining occurs. This Hibiscus likes very moist, even wet soils, growing happily at water's edge. During dry spells give it extra moisture as needed to keep the flowers coming. Beyond this, it is virtually carefree. Zones 5-10. Pkt is 5 seeds. |
