Swamp Rose Mallow

Description

Swamp Rose Mallow is a bold, show-stopping native perennial known for its enormous, tropical-looking flowers that bloom in late summer. The dinner-plate–sized blooms appear in shades of pink, red, or white and stand out dramatically against the plant’s large, deep green foliage. Each flower lasts only a day, but the plant produces a steady succession of blooms over several weeks, ensuring a long-lasting display. Its upright, shrub-like form gives it a commanding presence in the landscape, making it a focal point wherever it is planted.

Ecological Value

The large, nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to native bees and hummingbirds, providing an important late-season food source when many other plants have finished blooming. As a native wetland species, Swamp Rose Mallow also supports a range of beneficial insects and contributes to the ecological health of wet meadows and riparian habitats.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Swamp Rose Mallow thrives in full sun and moist to wet soils and is especially well adapted to sites that experience seasonal flooding or heavy, slow-draining soils. Consistent moisture is key to strong growth and prolific flowering, and the plant performs best where water is readily available throughout the growing season. Once established, it is robust and long-lived in appropriate conditions.

Landscape Uses

This plant is ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, wet meadows, and other low-lying areas where moisture is reliable. Its dramatic scale and late-season bloom make it an excellent back-border anchor or focal point in native plantings. Swamp Rose Mallow pairs beautifully with sedges, rushes, and other moisture-loving natives, adding bold color, vertical interest, and significant ecological value to wet landscapes.

Map Color Key

	Species present in state and native		Species present and not rare
	Species not present in state		Species present and rare

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