Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) vs Marsh Cinquefoil - TreeTime.ca

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) vs Marsh Cinquefoil

Comarum palustre

Hibiscus moscheutos

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Marsh Cinquefoil
Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus)

Marsh Cinquefoil is a native perennial wetland plant with striking reddish-purple, star-shaped flowers. They bloom in early to mid-summer, providing nectar for bees, flies, and other pollinators. Beyond its summer blooms, the foliage turns red in autumn, adding seasonal interest to wetland landscapes.

Common in wetlands, pond margins, and wet meadows, Marsh Cinquefoil spreads by rhizomes to form colonies or patches that contribute to shoreline stabilization. It thrives in nutrient-poor, saturated soils where many other plants struggle, making it valuable in challenging wetland conditions. With its ecological function and ornamental appeal, it is well-suited for wetland plantings, ecological restoration, and naturalized projects.

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) has large white-pink showy flowers which attract hummingbirds and pollinators to your yard. It is a tall, fast growing perennial shrub. The flowers typically only last 1-2 days, but the plant will continue to rebloom throughout the season.

This hibiscus tolerates heat and humidity but does not do well when exposed to wind. Make sure the plant has access to lots of moisture for better flowering.

The Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) is also known as the dinner plate hibiscus because it can grow incredibly large flowers, as big as dinner plates.

Marsh Cinquefoil Quick Facts

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 5a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: ascending to upright
Spreading: seeds - medium, rhizomes - medium
Suckering: low


Flowers: dark red/maroon, star-shaped
Flowers: pink-red
Bloom time: summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: ON
Other Names: marsh five fingers, purple cinquefoil, purple marshlocks
Other Names: crimson-eyed rose-mallow, dinner plate hibiscus, eastern rosemallow, hardy hibiscus, marsh mallow, marshmallow hibiscus, sea hollyhock, swamp mallow, swamp rose hibiscus