Hibiscus 'Marshmallow Moon'

Hibiscus 'Marshmallow Moon': Thick White Blooms That Glow at Dusk

Fat white flowers with thick petals, puffed up like the last marshmallow on the stick before it catches fire. 'Marshmallow Moon' is compact, sweet and ROASTING EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE BED.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hibiscus hybrid
• Common Name: Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus
• Height: 90–105 cm (3–3.5 ft)
• Spread: 120 cm (4 ft)
• Flowers: Pure white with thick petals, 15–16 cm (6–6.5 in) across
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Dark green leaves on a compact plant
• Features: Long bloom season

Where to Plant: White flowers shine at dusk, so plant it where you sit on summer evenings, beside a patio, deck or path. Its compact size suits the middle of a border or a smaller yard, and it's happy in damp ground near a pond, rain garden or downspout.

Companion Plants: Give white 'Marshmallow Moon' a sunny, moist bed with scarlet lobelia, pink turtleheads and tall Joe Pye. Chelone 'Hot Lips' adds rose-pink turtleheads at 60 to 90 cm in August and September. Lobelia 'Queen Victoria' brings scarlet spikes over dark leaves at 75 to 90 cm from July to September. Eupatorium 'Atropurpureum' rises behind at 150 to 210 cm with dusky rose-purple heads from August to October. Hierochloe odorata adds sweetgrass at 30 to 60 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun for the most flowers; part sun works, with fewer blooms. Give it moist, fertile soil and keep it watered. Hardy hibiscus wilt and drop buds when they dry out, so a deep soak during summer dry spells pays off. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture. It is one of the last perennials to wake up in spring, sometimes not until late May or early June. Mark the spot so nobody plants on top of it. Once it starts, it grows fast. In spring, before new growth appears, cut last year's woody stems back to about 15 cm (6 in) with loppers or a saw. Mulch heavily its first winter. It rarely needs dividing and prefers to stay put. Watch for Japanese beetles in July.

History: Walters Gardens of Zeeland, Michigan, describes 'Marshmallow Moon' as about half the size of the older white 'Blue River II', earlier to bloom and with more buds. Hardy hibiscus are bred largely from Hibiscus moscheutos, the swamp rose mallow, which reaches its northern edge in the marshes of southwestern Ontario.

Final Thoughts: Sun, a little room and a long run of flowers. Hummingbirds will hover like kids around a campfire. BRING YOUR OWN GRAHAM CRACKERS.