Product Description
Hibiscus 'Marshmallow Moon' PP35990 (25) Bare Root Plants
Hibiscus 'Marshmallow Moon' PP35990 represents a significant leap forward in hardy Hibiscus breeding, effectively resetting expectations for pure white blooms in the landscape. Moving far beyond older varieties like 'Blue River II', 'Marshmallow Moon' offers a pristine, solid white flower that is both beautiful and exceptionally well-behaved. This perennial features a compact habit of dark green leaves, about half the size of its wilder predecessors, providing a neater, more refined presence in the garden. Beginning in midsummer and continuing into early fall, an impressive abundance of 6-6½ inch wide, pure white flowers appear along the entire length of the stems, ensuring a high bud count and top-to-bottom flower coverage. The petals boast a thick substance, contributing to improved weather resistance and a longer-lasting display. This translates into more flowers appearing earlier in the season compared to older varieties. 'Marshmallow Moon' is a commanding statement piece for any garden bed or retail display, bringing massive, tropical-looking flowers and vibrant late-season interest. As a North American native, it is remarkably hardy down to Zone 4, and despite its characteristic late emergence in spring, its rapid growth rate, capable of adding an inch of new growth per day, quickly makes up for any initial delay.
'Marshmallow Moon' forms a well-behaved, compact, and upright bush, reaching a height of 3.0-3.5 feet with a spread of 4.0 feet. The foliage consists of attractive dark green leaves, providing a dense and appealing backdrop for the flowers. The distinguishing feature is its large (6-6½ inches wide), pure white, slightly cupped flowers. These blooms are solid white, lacking a central eye, and have a thick petal substance for durability. Flowers are produced prolifically along the entire length of the stems, ensuring a high bud count and continuous top-to-bottom coverage from midsummer through late summer and into early fall. The plant emerges later in spring but exhibits very rapid growth thereafter.
- Foliage: Dark green, well-behaved habit.
- Flowers: Pure white, 6-6½ inches wide, solid white (no eye), thick petal substance for weather resistance. Prolific, appearing along the entire stem.
- Bloom Time: Midsummer to Late Summer, extending into Early Fall, with long blooming duration. Blooms earlier than traditional varieties.
- Height: 3.0-3.5 Feet (91-107 cm)
- Spread: 4.0 Feet (122 cm)
- Growth Rate: Rapid (capable of adding an inch of new growth per day).
- Attracts: Hummingbirds, Bees.
- Critter Resistant: Deer Resistant.
- Other Features: North American native, compact and well-behaved habit, excellent for brightening end-of-season gardens, suitable for bog/rain gardens, specimen, focal point.
- Hardiness Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Flower Color: White Shades
- Foliage Color: Green shades
- Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hours Direct Sun). Tolerates Part Shade (4-6 hours Direct Sun), but full sun is best for optimal performance.
- Water Requirements: Average Water Needs, Consistent Water Needs.
- Soil Quality: Tolerates Poor, Average, and Fertile Soil Quality.
- Soil Chemistry: Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0).
- PP35990: Plant Patent number.
- Common Names: Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus.
While 'Marshmallow Moon' is a cultivated variety, its parent species, Hibiscus moscheutos (the basis for many hardy Hibiscus cultivars), is native to wetlands, marshes, and ditches throughout the southeastern and central United States. This native environment explains its preference for moist soil conditions and its suitability for rain gardens or boggy areas.
Landscaping Design Tips
Hibiscus 'Marshmallow Moon' is a dramatic and high-impact perennial, perfect for adding massive tropical-looking blooms and a bold presence to various garden styles.
- Stunning Statement Piece/Focal Point: Its large, pristine white flowers and substantial, well-behaved habit make it an excellent choice as a singular statement plant or focal point in a prominent garden bed.
- Back of the Border: Ideal for the middle to back of large perennial borders, providing significant height, structure, and a breathtaking display of late-season blooms.
- Dramatic Contrast: Pair it with dark-foliaged plants (like 'Cookies and Cream' if height differences allow), or deep purples and blues, to create striking visual contrasts.
- Cottage & Eclectic Gardens: The showy, almost unreal blooms bring a touch of the tropics and informal charm to cottage garden designs, while its bold presence fits well into eclectic landscapes.
- Rain Garden & Bog Plant: Given its love for consistent moisture and native wetland origins, 'Marshmallow Moon' is an excellent candidate for rain gardens, boggy areas, or along pond edges where it can thrive in consistently moist conditions.
- Mass Planting: For a truly spectacular effect, plant 'Marshmallow Moon' in groups of three or more. The collective impact of its numerous pure white blooms will create a dazzling, bright display.
- Large Container Gardening: Its compact yet substantial size makes it suitable for very large patio containers, bringing a bold, tropical statement to decks, patios, or poolside areas. Ensure consistent watering in containers.
- Late Season Interest: As a "late to emerge" perennial, it is invaluable for extending the garden's season of interest, providing fresh foliage and spectacular blooms when many other plants are beginning to fade.
- Wildlife Attraction: Plant where its impressive blooms can be appreciated by the hummingbirds and bees it attracts, contributing to a lively garden ecosystem.
Hardiness
Hibiscus 'Marshmallow Moon' is remarkably hardy, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. This wide range indicates its ability to withstand very cold winters and hot summers, making it a reliable and long-lived perennial in most temperate climates.
Planting and Cultivation
- Location: For optimal growth and maximum bloom production, 'Marshmallow Moon' requires full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day). While it can tolerate part shade (4-6 hours direct sun), its performance will be reduced, and flowering may be less prolific.
- Soil: This hardy Hibiscus needs moist, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to poor, average, or fertile soil quality, but the key is consistent moisture. It prefers acidic soil (pH < 7.0). Amending with organic matter (compost, peat moss) can improve both water retention and drainage, creating an ideal environment. Avoid constantly waterlogged conditions that are stagnant.
- Planting:
- It is best to plant Hibiscus in the garden before the intense heat of the summer arrives, typically in spring.
- Dig a generous hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
- Carefully remove the plant from its container, gently loosening any circling roots.
- Position the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly below the surrounding soil.
- Backfill with soil, gently tamping down to remove air pockets.
- Water thoroughly immediately after planting, and continue to provide consistent moisture to aid establishment.
- Watering: 'Marshmallow Moon' has average to consistent water needs. Keeping these plants well-watered, especially during hot summer months, will result in larger flowers and lush foliage. They tolerate moist conditions well and are suitable for bog or rain gardens.
- Fertilization: In average to fertile soils, a light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges is usually sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
- Maintenance:
- Late Emergence: Be patient in spring; hardy Hibiscus are typically one of the last perennials to emerge from dormancy. Do not assume the plant has died if it's late to show signs of life. Its vigorous growth rate (capable of 1 inch per day) quickly makes up for this late start.
- Pruning: In early spring, before new growth appears, cut back all old stems to about 4-6 inches from the ground. A strong pair of loppers or a saw may be necessary due to the robust stems.
- Deadheading: Deadheading spent flowers will improve the appearance of the plant and maintain a tidy look. It may also encourage more late-season blooms, though this variety is naturally very floriferous.
- First Winter Mulch: It should be heavily mulched the first winter, especially in colder zones (Zone 4), to provide extra insulation and help it establish effectively.
- Pests and Diseases: While generally robust, Japanese beetles find these plants especially delicious. Monitor for their presence and take appropriate measures if infestations occur. Otherwise, 'Marshmallow Moon' is relatively trouble-free and deer resistant.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
