now in bloom...winter hardy hibiscus..rose mallow, swamp mallow

The Mallow family (Malvaceae) has over 100 relatives. Okra is a native of Ethiopia which is also home to beans, peas, and coffee. Cotton is another genra. The Blue Mahoe of Jamaica is a large tree with 6 inch orange/yellow flowers that turn crimson during the day. It is used for cabinet making and is also native to Cuba where the inner bark is used for cigar wrap. Other genera include Rose of Sharon. Hollyhock and of course, Hibiscus.

The Hibiscus genus has 200+ species including Tropical Hibiscus with thousands of varieties; and, the North American Moscheutos also called Swamp Mallow.
Popular Hardy Hibiscus offerings are almost all based on Moscheutos.

Here's how they differ from Tropical Hibiscus:
It is a woody perenniel, dies back in winter. Last for at least 10 seasons.
Actually requires cold weather. Plant wintering evidentally involves production of hormones required for spring growth and flowering.
Propagate by cuttings, some by seeds. Water heavily until established.
Does very well in wet soil, full sun. Tolerates drought.
Buds are 2-4 inches long.
Has large flowers up to 12 inches: white, pink, red, plum, no yellows and last 1 day.
Relatively few varieties, no doubles.
When they die back in winter, prune dead foliage, and when the ground is frozen, mulch heavily to keep it cold.
They will probably be the last thing to sprout in the next Spring, fertilize early and lightly tip-prune after initial growth. But they grow rapidly up to 8 ft in height.
Disease resistant, but look out for spider mites and Japanese beetles. On the internet you can use a special Google search to locate books containing information about hardy hibiscus.
Much of the above information is based upon the book, “Hibiscus”, by Barbara Lawton Perry.

Der Roseneibisch (Hibiscus moscheutos), auch Sumpfeibisch genannt, ist eine Pflanzenart aus der Gattung Hibiskus (Hibiscus) in der Familie der Malvengewächse (Malvaceae).

Es ist eine winterharte, mehrjährige krautige Pflanze. Sie erreicht Wuchshöhen bis über 2 Meter. Die oberirdischen Pflanzenteile sterben im Winter ab; die Pflanze treibt im Frühling neu aus dem Wurzelstock aus. Die Blätter sind ungeteilt; sie sind 15 bis 20 cm lang und 5 bis 7 cm breit. Die Blätter sind auf der Unterseite samtig behaart, auf der Oberseite unbehaart.
Die Blüten sind etwa handtellergroß; sie erreichen Durchmesser von etwa 15 Zentimetern, bei vielen Zuchtformen jedoch auch bis zu 30 cm. Sie sind weiß oder rosa, teilweise zart dunkelrosa überhaucht, in der Mitte um den Stempel hellrosa bis dunkelkarmin schattiert. Die einzelne Blüte blüht nur einen Tag lang. Es gibt keine Befruchtungsinsekten hierzulande; H. moscheutos stammt aus Nordamerika.

Sources from wikipedia &Barbara Perry Lawton Book "Hibiscus" pyblished by Timber press.

Pictures: guild-rez - from ur Guildwood garden