Solid white flowers 6 to 6 1/2 inches across, with thick petals that stand up to weather, open on this compact rose mallow. Hibiscus 'Marshmallow Moon' grows 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall and about 4 feet wide in full sun or part sun, hardy from Zone 4 through Zone 9, and fills out by its second summer.
Walters Gardens introduced it with buds along the full length of each stem, so bloom carries from midsummer into early fall over dark green leaves.
Hardy hibiscus, also called rose mallow, comes from species native to marshes and wet ground across eastern North America, and the modern hybrids keep that tolerance for heavy, damp soil along with full sun and summer heat. Each flower lasts one to two days, but a plant sets enough buds to keep new ones opening for weeks, and hummingbirds and bees come to the big flowers. Rose mallow is one of the last perennials to wake up in spring, often not showing until late May, so a bare spot in April is normal. The stems die back to the ground each winter.
The white shows clearly against dark siding or evergreens, and the compact size fits a large container.
