Hibiscus x 'ROYAL GEMS' swamp mallow
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
1-1,3m
usual width
0,5-1m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
August-October
location
full sun
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Swamp mallow and its hybrids have been sought after plants for the past few years now. They are perennials with sturdy stems that have large, tropically looking flowers. Royal Gems is a variety bred by David and James Fleming from Nebraska, USA, which resulted from a 40-year controlled breeding. Other successful varieties from the same breeding programme include Kopper King, Fireball, Plum Crazy, Robert Fleming, and Fantasia. They are all crosses of hibiscus moscheutos and hibiscus coccineus, and boast with incredible flower size and colours, as well as excellent hardiness.
Description of the plant:
Royal Gems (not to be mislead by Crown Jewels) is a stunning Swamp mallow variety with extremely large, rich purple pink flowers. Their size is at least 25 cm, but more often 27-28 cm across! Flowering begins early in the season, usually in early August. Deciduous leaves are irregularly heart-shaped, sometimes with two small horns at sides, burgundy red to reddish brown on the insolated parts, and lowers leaves lack red pigment and remain rather green. In autumn they turn yellow and amber orange. Stems are strong and do not bend in rain, a little over one meter tall, and the plants produce multiples of them year after year forming a bushy and dense shrub. The plant is dependent on regular water and feed supply. Use fertilizers with enough phosphorus for abundant flowering, or any other quick-release fertilizers where nitrogen is not predominant. Any fertilizing has to stop by end September.
For healthy growth and profuse flowering it needs a sunny location with a lot of moisture which can be achieved by good mulching. The soil has to be fertile and permeable, never let it dry out in summer. Hardy to min. 34°C (USDA zone 4). Cut back the plant only a few centimetres above ground level in spring.
Last update 06-08-2017
WANT TO TRY A SIMILAR PLANT?
