Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Hibiscus moscheutos
Swamp Rose-mallow
Ketmie des marais

Synonyms

crimson-eyed rose-mallow
eastern rose-mallow

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Pink Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Hummingbird friendly Supports hummingbirds
Bird friendly Supports birds
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Swamp Rose-mallow is a spectacular native hibiscus that produces enormous pink, white, or red flowers during mid- to late summer. It thrives in moist soil, pond edges, and sunny borders. Despite its tropical appearance, it is fully hardy. It is visited by bumble bees, long-tongued native bees, leafcutter bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and numerous pollen-collecting insects. It emerges very late in spring. It prefers consistently moist soil. It forms large clumps.

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Hibiscus moscheutos
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Hibiscus moscheutos

  • Eudryas unio
    Pearly Wood Nymph - Agaristine à Bande Courbe

Specialized Bees Supported by Hibiscus moscheutos

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Hibiscus (Non-Native Hibiscus)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting:
    • Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.