Hibiscus moscheutos (Swamp Rose Mallow)

Hibiscus moscheutos, known as the swamp rosemallow or crimson-eye rosemallow, is a showstopper of a native wetland perennial with tropical-looking blooms that can reach 6 to 10 inches across.

Its enormous, nectar-laden flowers draw in hummingbirds, butterflies, and especially bees, including the specialized rose mallow bee, which hosts on swamp mallows almost exclusively. The flowers, typically ranging in shades of white to pink with dramatic crimson eyes, last only a day, but are produced in succession over many weeks from mid-summer to early fall.

Swamp mallow thrives in sunny, moisture-rich conditions, and can tolerate standing water. It’s cold-hardy and tolerant of both heat and humidity, making it well-suited for challenging wet areas. This species needs at least average moisture, and is not drought tolerant in soils that dry out completely.

It has sturdy stems and broad, fuzzy leaves that die back in the winter to a woody root crown, which tend to form large clumps over time. The plants provides cover for amphibians, birds, and other wetland wildlife.