Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Swamp Hibiscus produces the largest flowers of any native perennial in North America — dinner-plate blooms up to 12 inches across in shades of white, pink, and deep crimson, rising on 4–6 foot stems from the bayou’s edge. A plant of marshes, swamp margins, and wet meadows, it is one of the most spectacular wildflowers of the Louisiana landscape and a magnet for hummingbirds and giant native bees.

Botanical Profile

• Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)
• Native Range: Eastern North America from Maryland to Florida and west to Nebraska; native to Louisiana marshes, bayou margins, and wet meadows
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–10
• Mature Size: 4–6 feet tall
• Bloom Time: July–September
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Wet to moist; tolerates standing water and heavy clay; ideal for rain gardens and pond margins

Ecological Role

Swamp Hibiscus flowers are visited by hummingbirds, giant resin bees, bumble bees, and specialist native bees. It is a larval host for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly, Checkered Skipper, and several specialist moth species. Its large seed pods provide food for birds and small mammals through winter.

In the Cajun Healing Garden

Part of the Jardin — The Healing Garden collection at Big Mamou Enterprises, Swamp Hibiscus is a plant of extraordinary visual impact and ecological generosity — the bayou’s most dramatic wildflower.