Hibiscus x Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' (Rose Mallow)

Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' is a hardy hybrid Hibiscus cultivar that grows to a compact size of 2-3' tall and 3-4' wide with a dense, shrub-like habit. Already known for its attractive, dinner plate-sized flowers, this Hibiscus selection has classically beautiful hibiscus blooms with white and pink-toned petals overlapping in a dark wine-red center eye. Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' typically blooms from mid to late summer, with mature plants opening more and more blooms throughout this window. In addition to its eye-catching blooms, the 'Perfect Storm' cultivar is also well-regarded for its dark and stormy foliage, which starts lime green before maturing to a deep, purple-black hue, contrasting beautifully with the plant's large flowers.

Since this cultivar reaches a consistent size time after time, 'Perfect Storm' is the perfect choice for compact locations in need of consistent ornamental appeal, performing beautifully in small pond plantings, alongside streambanks, and really in any garden space where it will attract a number of pollinators, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Although native to swampy areas, rose mallow will also do very well in the home garden if kept consistently moist; like many rose mallow, Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' grows best in full sun conditions with fertile soil.

Though Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' is a hybrid cultivar, the swamp rose mallows in the Summerific® series are the results of several generations of cross-breeding between the species Hibiscus moscheutos (native to Maryland), Hibiscus laevis (also native to Maryland), and Hibiscus coccineus (native to the American southeast as far north as Virginia).

(Flower photo courtesy of Proven Winners)