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    • Photo of Hibiscus coccineus flower by Brian's Botanicals

    Photo by Brian's Botanicals

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Hibiscus coccineus

    Also Known As

    • Hibiscus coccineus 'Red'
    • Hibiscus coccineus 'Texas Star'
    • Great Red Hibiscus
    • Red Swamp Hibiscus
    • Scarlet Hibiscus
    • Scarlet Mallow
    • Scarlet Rose Mallow
    • Swamp Hibiscus
    • Texas Star
    • Texas Star Hibiscus

    Plant type

    shrub, perennial, aquatic

    size

    • H: 6'-8'
    • W: 2'-4'

    planting zones

    • 6a-11

    Square gallon | $26

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    Fewer than 9 at Secret Garden Growers

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    Hibiscus coccineus plant details

    Hibiscus coccineus is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial aquatic shrub with green foliage. In fall and summer red flowers emerge followed by green fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and standing water - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Hibiscus coccineus

    Plant type: perennial aquatic shrub
    Plant family: malvaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 2 FT - 4 FT - wide, 6 FT - 8 FT - tall
    Flowers: red blooms in fall and summer
    Uses: bog garden, border plant, easy-to-grow, floriferous, long-blooming, native plant, red stems, showy

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Hibiscus coccineus

    USDA Zones: 6a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: standing water - regular
    Resistant to: heat and humidity
    Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Hibiscus coccineus, known as scarlet rosemallow, swamp hibiscus or wild red mallow, is a rare perennial found in the southeastern US. It typically grows 6-8 feet tall topped with large, 3-5 inch wide, star-shaped, bright red flowers with non-overlapping petals. It will bloom in summer. The intriguing, textural, shiny foliage is narrow, lobed and finely divided. Late to emerge in spring followed by rapid growth. Use in the border, as a specimen or focal point. Provide even moisture or grow as a marginal in a pond or water feature. Attracts bees and hummingbirds. Provide extra winter protection in the form of a deep mulch in zone 5.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Huge 6" deep-red flowers and handsome, deeply-lobed, glossy leaves adorn this large (4-6') native swamp dweller. warm S/M-W

    By: Forestfarm

    This herbaceous perennial rockets out of the ground in spring and grows upright stems to 3-6’ tall in 2-3’ wide clumps with deeply palmate leaves. June to Sept deep red large flowers, 3-5” across, five petaled with prominent stamens, draws hummers and butterflies like magnets! This big girl enjoys constant moisture (will live in a bog or pondside) and full sun for best flowers! USDA Z6-9

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Planted by George Washington and admired by Bartram in his catalog as “a most elegant flowering plant”, Texas Star has startlingly large luminous bright red flowers that bloom midsummer to fall. Excellent in large tubs, they can be overwintered dormant where not hardy.

    By: Select Seeds

    A tuberous rooted, winter dormant perennial. Sturdy rod-like stems emerge in mid-spring to be sparsely clothed with large, deeply lobed, maple-like leaves and carry branches of giant, 18cm, widely open, 5 petalled, scarlet flowers.Can be grown in shallow water, 5cm deep, as an unusual and spectacular pond plant, or in any sunny position that stays constantly moist.Cut to the ground in winter or leave the corky stems and accompanying seed pods as a seasonal sculpture.An exotic looking, yet remarkably easy to grow plant, that those who like giant perennials, can never get enough of.

    By: Zephs

    Hibiscus coccineus Red is a species of Hibiscus that is very hardy and tropical looking. It can handle zone 6 and possibly colder winters. Plants grow to 6 to 9 feet tall and die back to the ground in winter. The leaves are green and resemble marijuana or a thin leaf Maple. The stems on the red form are pink to red in color which is a great contrast with the foliage. The flowers are large 6 inches to 12 inches across. The petals are a bit thinner than many of the hybrid Hibiscus which gives it a unique look.

    By: Brian's Botanicals

    TEXAS ROSE - SWAMP MALLOW - SCARLET HIBISCUS - A herbaceous perennial native to coastal swamps. Very deeply cut fine textured foliage with burgundy tones. Very large bright red 5 petaled 6-9" saucer like flowers in mid summer to fall. Nectar rich blooms attracts hummingbirds. Likes sun and moisture. Hardy in zone 6-10. May grow un to 6' during the season.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    Giant 6" scarlet pinwheels are produced throughout summer and fall. A vigorous sun loving perennial which is native to the swampy soils of the SE US but is fairly drought tolerant once established in the garden.

    By: Almost Eden

    The scarlet hibiscus is the largest & most beautiful of America's native plants. The five-petaled flowers are brilliant crimson red & 6"-8" across. Blooms all summer & fall. Lives in wet spots in nature but will take average moisture after being watered well the first year. Absolutely spectacular. Size varies w/ moisture. Can live in a pond in summer.

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    Spectacular, brilliant, scarlet flowers 6” to 8” across, are borne most of Summer & Fall on an upright, large plant. Growing near riverbanks in the Southeastern U.S., this guy likes water and will even grow submerged in a water garden. Grows just fine in regular garden soil, too. The blooms last only one day, but new ones open daily. The elegant, palmate foliage resembles that of a Japanese Maple. One of the largest & most beautiful North American wildflowers, this big plant grows 4’ to 6’ tall and to 4’ wide. You can cut it back in Winter or leave it to enjoy the ornamental seed pods.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Scarlet red 6" flowers with green calyx showing at the base to create a star. 6' tall by 4' wide. Bud break is late in the spring.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Hibiscus coccineus plant

    How to Grow Hibiscus coccineus

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • standing water - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • red

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds

    • Fruit

      • green

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Hibiscus for your garden

    Hibiscus 'Tosca'

    aka Hibiscus mutabilis x syriacus 'Tosca', Tosca Rose of Sharon

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 4'-12'

    Width: 3'-4'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Hibiscus 'Tosca' flower by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery
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    Hibiscus schizopetalus

    aka Hibiscus schizopetalus 'Japanese Lantern', Coral Hibiscus, Fringed Hibiscus, Japanese Lantern, Japanese Lantern Hibiscus

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    10a-12

    Size

    Height: 6'-8'

    Width: 5'-6'

    • sun
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Hibiscus schizopetalus flower by Ziqqy J
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    Hibiscus tiliaceus [variegated]

    aka Hibiscus tiliaceus 'Variegatus', Hibiscus tiliaceus tricolor, Talipariti tiliaceum 'Albo-Variegatus', Mahoe Sea Hibiscus, Sea Hibiscus, Tricolor Hibiscus, Variegated Beach Hibiscus, Variegated Mahoe

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    10a-11

    Size

    Height: 8'

    Width: 8'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Hibiscus tiliaceus [variegated] foliage by Almost Eden
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    Hibiscus denudatus

    aka Paleface, Rock Hibiscus

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 1'-3'

    Width: 1'-3'

    • sun
    • even moisture
    Photo of Hibiscus denudatus by Stan Shebs
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    Abelmoschus moschatus ssp. tuberosus

    aka Abelmoschus moschatus var. tuberosus, Hibiscus abelmoschus, Hibiscus rhodopetalus, Hibiscus sagittaefolius, Hibiscus subnudus, Climbing hibiscus, Musk mallow

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    9a-12

    Size

    Height: 1'-6'

    Width: 3'-6'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry when dormant
    Photo of Abelmoschus moschatus ssp. tuberosus flower by Peter Richardson
    View Plant
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