1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Rhexia mariana, Maryland meadow beauty, is an upright perennial native to the southeastern United States, reaching about one to two feet. Four-petalled flowers in pale pink to lavender open through summer and autumn, each carrying a cluster of distinctive curved golden anthers. Small urn-shaped seed capsules follow and persist on the stems.
The anthers are the giveaway: bright yellow, curved and prominent against pale petals, and released by buzz pollination — bumblebees vibrate them to shake the pollen loose. It grows in damp acidic sand and bog margins, spreading gently by rhizome into colonies rather than clumps.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
18 inches
Width
12 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
6, 7, 8, 9
Water
High
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Southeastern United States
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in spring in moist, acidic, sandy soil.
- Choose full sun to partial shade.
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Allow room for gentle rhizomatous spread.
- Avoid feeding; it wants lean ground.
- Cut back in late winter.
Pro Tip
Match the soil rather than amending it — this is a plant of damp acidic sand, and it fails in rich neutral garden loam.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant in moist acidic sandy soil 🌱
- Keep it consistently damp 💧
- Let it colonise a bog margin 🌿
- Leave the urn-shaped capsules for interest 🍂
Don't
- Plant in rich alkaline soil ❌
- Let it dry out ❌
- Feed it ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Water |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Mariana Meadowbeauty questions
What zones can Mariana Meadowbeauty grow in?
Mariana Meadowbeauty is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Mariana Meadowbeauty deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Mariana Meadowbeauty, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Mariana Meadowbeauty bloom?
Mariana Meadowbeauty typically blooms in summer to fall through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Mariana Meadowbeauty need full sun?
Mariana Meadowbeauty does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Rhexia to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Mariana Meadowbeauty with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.