Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) vs Nodding Onion - TreeTime.ca

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) vs Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Hibiscus moscheutos

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Nodding Onion
Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus)

Nodding Onion is a native perennial wildflower known for its nodding clusters of flowers that range in color from white to pink to purple. The lightly scented blooms provide pollen and nectar for pollinators, especially bees, which can collect while hanging upside down, a capability most other insects lack.

The narrow, grass-like leaves of the Nodding Onion can be used as a seasoning in cooked dishes, though bulbs and raw leaves should not be eaten in large quantities. All parts of the plant have an onion-like aroma when bruised, which helps deter deer and rabbits. They can self-seed readily, so removing spent blooms helps manage their spread. Tolerant of a range of soils, including alkaline, it is well-suited for a variety of plantings, including pollinator gardens and naturalization 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.

Nodding Onion Quick Facts

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright to spreading, clump-forming
Spreading: seeds - high
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: raw leaves and bulbs can be midly toxic

Foliage: smells of onion when crushed, edible
Flowers: white, pink, or purple nodding clusters
Flowers: pink-red
Bloom time: late spring to summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Native to: ON
Other Names: ladys leek, nodding wild onion
Other Names: crimson-eyed rose-mallow, dinner plate hibiscus, eastern rosemallow, hardy hibiscus, marsh mallow, marshmallow hibiscus, sea hollyhock, swamp mallow, swamp rose hibiscus