07/27/2026
Swamp Rose-mallow season is starting to peak! Formerly Hibiscus moscheutos, our beloved wetland plant has now been reclassified as Muenchhusia moscheutos! While the typical flowers are white with a magenta center, sometimes this species can naturally exhibit other color forms, like the fully magenta flowers, or occasionally a pale pink with the magenta center. Each flower lasts only a day, with peak showtime before mid-day.
Occurring nearly state wide, Swamp Rose Mallow occupies a variety of wetland types. Not only will it grow in disturbed wetlands like ditches and impoundments, but it grows in abundance in tidal fresh and oligohaline marshes, river shores/bars, alluvial swamps, floodplain pools, and more, as long as it has plenty of sun.
Swamp Rose Mallow hosts a specialist bee called the Hibiscus Turret Bee. Although they superficially resemble bumble bees, the turret bees are much different in their life history. They nest solitarily in the ground, although they can form huge aggregations. They also are not generalists, and rely solely on the pollen of the hibsicus flowers in order to nourish their larvae. When they aren't inside the flowers or their nests, they can sometimes be seen at the water's edge, or even floating on the water, collecting the water to soften the ground for their nest excavation. Next time you look at a Hibiscus flower, peek inside for a turret bee! 🐝🌺
📸 Maeve Coker, VNPS Education Chair
