Confederate Rose Shrub

Confederate Rose is a Chinese plant more closely related to cotton than a rose. The Confederate Roses appear from the late summer into fall, when other plans have finished blooming. Each flower blooms independently and has a three day life cycle where the color changes daily from white to pink, and then red. Hibiscus mutabilis 'Rubrus' is also called the Confederate Red Rose.

• The flowers are large and colorful with a lemon yellow center single flower. The fresh foliage recedes behind the single bright red blooms handsomely. The Confederate is deciduous losing it leaves in the Fall, however, it grows back fast to 8 feet during the Summer and blooms heavily in the Fall, usually September. The amazing Confederate Rose goes through a number of color changes from white on the first day the flowers the next day turn pink, sometimes half-pink and half-white and on the third day turn bright red. The pink flowers that form on the second day perform well inside enclosed swimming pools if potted and placed in bright lights.

• The Confederate Rose can be used as a cut flower on the first day when the bloom is completely white and the flower will change colors as the maturing proceeds. In September when the Confederate Rose begins to flower the large plants are covered with brightly colored blooms of many colors. After the flower turns red a seed pod is formed which can be opened and the seed planted to form new plants. The Confederate Rose shrub or tree can be planted close to a roadside and will draw much attention from passing automobiles.