Hibiscus moscheutos Berry Awesome - Swamp Rose Mallow

The Hibiscus x moscheutos 'Summerific Berry Awesome' is a vigorous and floriferous hybrid variety of marsh hibiscus with pink flowers with purple spots, the size of a plate, perfectly highlighted by dark green cut foliage. Whether for its foliage or for its abundant and prolonged summer flowering, this large bushy perennial is decorative for a good part of the year. It can be planted in large pots kept very moist throughout the summer. It is also extremely decorative at the edge of a pond.

The Hibiscus Summerific Berry Awesome was selected at Walter Gardens Inc. nurseries in the state of Michigan, USA. It is part of a series of hybrids characterised by a well-branched habit, decorative foliage, and increased floribundance. It is a herbaceous plant with a woody base from the Malvaceae family, related to mallows and hollyhocks. Its ancestor is native to the marshes of the southern United States. This variety Berry Awesome produces straight, upright stems forming a rounded and spreading bush that reaches about 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in height and 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in width. The above-ground vegetation dries up and disappears in winter, while the base goes dormant in the soil. This cultivar produces 20 cm (7.9 in) diameter flowers with a shiny texture, a deep and vibrant pink colour. The flowers do not last long but the plant continuously produced new ones from July to September. The stems and leaves are darker green when the plant is exposed to full sun. The large leaves are divided into narrow and pointed lobes with scalloped edges.

Marshmallows are spectacular plants that cannot be ignored, like the Hibiscus x moscheutus Summerific Berry Awesome. While some people may dislike their huge flowers because they can be challenging to integrate into a natural setting, others love them for the same reasons that make them suitable for a contemporary-style garden or a small exotic scene carefully organised around a small terrace pond. 

However, it should be noted that these plants may not thrive in colder and mountainous areas, although they can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C (5 °F) when the base is dry in winter. If you have waterlogged beds or the edge of a pond, consider adding any of the marsh hibiscus varieties accompanied by cannas, Ethiopian arum, or papyrus. This will add another dimension of beauty to your garden.