Hibiscus Rose Moon

Hibiscus Rose Moon is a new variety resulting from the cross-breeding of Hibiscus paramutabilis and Hibiscus syriacus, the Althaea which is more familiar to us. This large bush has inherited particularly large exotic flowers from its first parent as well as the hardiness and floribundity of the second. Throughout the summer, even on a young plant, very large single to semi-double flowers of a vivid pink colour, speckled with carmine red in the throat, succeed each other on a beautiful dark and glossy foliage. This hybrid, which produces almost no fruits, requires very little maintenance. In the garden, the bush proves to be sturdy and accommodating, easy to combine in a flowering hedge or a bed. Give it a sunny exposure and an ordinary, but deep, moist and well-drained soil.

The Hibiscus Walberton’s® Rose Moon (WALHIROSMO) is a recently selected horticultural variety in England. It is the result of a cross-breeding between Hibiscus syriacus, a perfectly hardy shrubby species originating from temperate regions of Asia, and H. paramutabilis, endemic to central China, and more developed. All these deciduous shrubs belong to the mallow family, just like hollyhocks and marsh mallows.

'Rose Moon' has a bushy and upright habit, slightly open and a bit loose, supported by thick and strong branches. Its growth is moderately fast: it can reach 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height with a spread of 1.8 m (5 ft 10 in). It blooms from a young age and for a long time if the weather remains mild, and its short-lived flowers that fade within 24 hours are constantly renewed  from July until October at the end of the branches. Carried by pedicels 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) long, they are single, solitary, 15 to 20 cm (5.9 to 7.9 in) wide, and composed of silky bright and fresh bluish-pink petals, arranged around a beautiful red-rose carmine throat. In the centre of the corolla sits a white column composed of stamens and pistil. This hybrid is almost sterile: it rarely produces fruits, in favour of a particularly generous flowering. Its foliage, deciduous and decorative, is dark green and glossy. The full leaves have a slightly toothed edge.

In the garden, Hibiscus Rose Moon requires the same growing conditions as Althaea and will serve the same purpose. It appreciates bright, warm exposures. This hibiscus requires no maintenance, and grows slowly but steadily in the first years. Plant it in a soil that remains slightly moist until the end of summer, even if it is limestone. It can be used in a medium-sized free hedge, in combination with other hibiscus of different colours, botanical roses, mock oranges,  lilacs and butterfly bushes which will provide the fragrance that it lacks. It can also be planted as a specimen or at the back of a perennial bed composed of daylilies, asters or shrubby salvias for example.