Hibiscus laevis: Country Or Region Of Origin
Southeastern Canada, central and eastern U.S.A.
Plant Profile: Hibiscus laevis
Taxonomy: Hibiscus laevisNames
Halberdleaf Hibiscus, Halberdleaf Rosemallow, Halberd-leaved Hibiscus, Halberd-leaved Rose-mallow, Scarlet Rose Mallow, Smooth Rose-mallow
Phonetic Spelling:hy-BIS-kus LAY-viss
Genus:Hibiscus
Species:laevis
Family:Malvaceae
The Halberd-leaved Rose Mallow is a perennial plant belonging to the mallow family, native to the region. It features upright green stems and boasts large, eye-catching flowers that can be white or pink. Related to okra, this plant produces a slimy, mucilaginous sap. It thrives in warm conditions and is particularly suited for wetland gardens and woodland environments.
This species flourishes in full or partial sunlight, preferring rich soil and moist surroundings. It is ideal for use in water or rain gardens, as well as along streams, ponds, or in the wetter areas of cottage or native plant gardens.
Hibiscus laevis Feature Summary
Tags
#hummingbirds
#showy flowers
#water garden
#rain garden
#white flowers
#pink flowers
#moths
#native perennial
#wetlands
#pond margins
#fast growing
#NC native
#deer browsing plant
#large flowers
#light pink flowers
#food source fall
#Coastal OBL
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#Piedmont Mountains OBL
#butterfly friendly
#beetles
#pollinators
#streams
#bee friendly
#bog gardens
#audubon
#woodlands
Similar Plants
Hibiscus laevis Feature Summary
Attributes
Southeastern Canada, central and eastern U.S.A.
This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is browsed by white-tailed deer.
Perennial
Fruit
Fruit displays from August to October. Large finely hairy seeds are carried by the water.
Flowers
White to pink flowers bloom from June to August and are 5 petaled with a deeper colored throat and up to 6 inches wide. Prominent long stamens in the center of the cup-shaped flower. Each flower lasts for a day.
Pink
White
Solitary
Long Bloom Season
Summer
Fall
4-5 petals/rays
3-6 inches
Leaves
The green leaves are 3 lobed and up to 6 inches long and 4 inches across. Resemble the old fashioned halberd spear. The margins are serrate-crenate. The leaf shape can vary from 3-5 lobed or unlobed.
Green
Simple
Alternate
Ovate
Lanceolate
Lobed
3-6 inches
3-6 inches
Stem
The stems are terete and glabrous, branching sparingly
Green
Round
Smooth (glabrous)
Straight
Whole Plant Traits
Native Plant
Rapid
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Moist
Occasionally Wet
3 feet-6 feet
Coastal
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
High Organic Matter
Landscape
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Cottage Garden
Native Garden
Wet Soil
Woodland
Pond
Butterflies
Pollinators
Bees
Moths
Hummingbirds
Hibiscus laevis Image Gallery
Hibiscus laevis Attributes
Hibiscus laevis: Wildlife Value
This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is browsed by white-tailed deer.
Hibiscus laevis: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
Heat tolerant.
Hibiscus laevis: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Hibiscus laevis: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Hibiscus laevis Fruit
Hibiscus laevis: Fruit Description
Fruit displays from August to October. Large finely hairy seeds are carried by the water.
Hibiscus laevis: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Hibiscus laevis Flowers
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Description
White to pink flowers bloom from June to August and are 5 petaled with a deeper colored throat and up to 6 inches wide. Prominent long stamens in the center of the cup-shaped flower. Each flower lasts for a day.
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Color
Pink
White
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Hibiscus laevis: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Hibiscus laevis Leaves
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Description
The green leaves are 3 lobed and up to 6 inches long and 4 inches across. Resemble the old fashioned halberd spear. The margins are serrate-crenate. The leaf shape can vary from 3-5 lobed or unlobed.
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Color
Green
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Hibiscus laevis: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Hibiscus laevis: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Hibiscus laevis Stem
Hibiscus laevis: Stem Description
The stems are terete and glabrous, branching sparingly
Hibiscus laevis: Stem Color
Green
Hibiscus laevis: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Hibiscus laevis: Stem Cross Section
Angular
Oval
Round
Square
Hibiscus laevis: Stem Surface
Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)
Hibiscus laevis: Stem Form
Straight
Zig Zags
Hibiscus laevis Whole Plant Traits
Hibiscus laevis: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Hibiscus laevis: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Hibiscus laevis Cultural Conditions
Hibiscus laevis: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Hibiscus laevis: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Hibiscus laevis: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Hibiscus laevis: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Hibiscus laevis: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Hibiscus laevis: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Hibiscus laevis Landscape
Hibiscus laevis: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Hibiscus laevis: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Hibiscus laevis: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Hibiscus laevis: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
