1 named cultivar

‘Flora Plena’Flora Plena Confederate Rose

shrub

Confederate Rose

The Story

Plant Bio

Hibiscus mutabilis, Confederate rose, is a fast-growing large deciduous shrub or small tree from southern China and Taiwan, reaching ten to twelve feet. Bright green lobed leaves with palmate veining are coarse and maple-like, and saucer-shaped flowers three to six inches across open in late summer and autumn.

The flowers change colour as they age, opening white or pale pink in the morning and deepening through pink to red by evening — so a single plant carries three colours at once and looks like several shrubs in one. In colder parts of its range it dies back to the ground each winter and regrows to flower the same year, behaving as a perennial.

Uses & Benefits:

Large saucer flowers that shift from white through pink to red over a single day.

Very fast growing, so it reaches flowering size in a season even after winter dieback.

Hummingbirds and butterflies work the large flowers through late summer and autumn.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

132 inches

Width

108 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate to high

Humidity

Moderate to high

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southern China and Taiwan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun in moist soil.
Allow eight to ten feet of width.
Water generously; it dislikes drying out.
Expect dieback below zone 8 and cut back in spring.
Take cuttings in autumn as insurance.
Do not prune in autumn where it stays evergreen.

Pro Tip

The three colours on one plant are one day's flowers at different ages — white in the morning, red by evening, all on the same shrub.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it full sun and moist soil ☀️
Allow it real width 📏
Cut back winter-killed stems in spring ✂️
Root cuttings as insurance 🌱

Don't

Let it dry out ❌
Cut it back in autumn ❌
Expect the flowers to hold one colour ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cut Back
Enjoy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Late-season flowering specimenLarge border or screen in warm gardensHummingbird and butterfly planting

Companion Plants

Canna Salvia LantanaMuhly Grass Elephant Ear

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Confederate Rose questions

What zones can Confederate Rose grow in?

Confederate Rose is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Confederate Rose deer resistant?

Yes — Confederate Rose is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Confederate Rose bloom?

Confederate Rose typically blooms in late summer to fall through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Confederate Rose need full sun?

Confederate Rose does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.