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Confederate Rose

27 Comments on Confederate Rose»

1. Hi, I would like some help on taking care of my husbands confederate rose It is still full of buds and blooms and the wheather man is calling for a freeze within the next week or two. I know he cut it back each year and covered it but it never bloomed or had buds this late in the fall. Can I go ahead and cut it back or do I wait and let it keep blooming and let the freeze finish it then cut it back. Sorry I’m so dumb about it and I never thought I would be caring for ir or it becoming so important to me. He died in August and it was full of buds then, he never got to see it so beautiful as it is this year can you help me save it? Thank You

   Confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis), is relatively easy to grow and maintain. Once the plant freezes , cut it back to several inches above the ground. New growth will emerge in mid spring. Since frost is eminent, I would cut a few branches and bring them in the house and see if the buds will open. If they do you will have a lovely reminder of your husband.

   Comment by Hazel — 12/31/2005 @ 3:43 pm

2. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE FOR SOMEWHERE THAT I CAN PURCHASE A CONFEDERATE ROSE PLANT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYONE WHO SELLS IT. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND ONE? THANKS.

   Comment by DANA — 3/19/2006 @ 3:21 pm

3. As i understand you can not buy a confederate rose. in the Carolinas. I have 5 potted

   Comment by Joe P — 4/4/2006 @ 8:18 am

4. how close should i plant my confederate roses to my wood fence

   Confederate rose grows as wide as tall. They can get 3-6 ft. tall. Allow room for expansion give it 2-4 ft. from the fence.

   Comment by wanda — 5/12/2006 @ 3:22 am

5. The info was very helpful. We have a pink confederate rose. It is awesome in the mornings when it opens up. Then it closes and become a dark pink and falls off. Is this normal? I am new at gardening.

   Yes, that is one of the characteristics of a confederate rose. It is a show stopper!

   Comment by Frances M. Pelham — 5/26/2006 @ 12:01 pm

6. My mother has a Confederate Rose tree. It was suppose to have pink, white and yellow flowers. This is the second year it has bloomed & has only bloomed in pink. Does the Conferate Rose tree ever bloom in the tri colors?

   Confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis)is known for its beautiful flowers that change color as they age. The flowers usually open white or pale pink and turn a darker pink to crimson as they age. The white can be a yellowish white and maybe that’s what they refer to as “yellow". It might just be a good marketing ploy. You can have 3 distinct colors on the bush at the same time; usually white, pale pink and deep pink .

   Comment by Christine Hurst — 7/13/2006 @ 5:55 pm

7. I am in zone 8.5 but have only had one bloom and yellow leaves. Mine has been planted for 3 years now and I have used Nursery Special to fertilizer each year. There must be a better fertilizer or pruning technique I need–mine hasn’t frozen back in 3 years. All advice appreciated!

   Some of the reasons why your hibiscus won’t bloom is : Too wet, too dry, too much nitrogen (the 1st number)which will give you lush growth at the expense of flowers and not enough sun. U. of Florida recommends: fertilize lightly 4x a year with a 15-5-10 or 15-5-15 with micronutrients. For large plants spread the fertilizer slightly beyond the dripline, 1/2 to 1 lb per plant in early spring, after 1st flush of growth,midsummer and September. As for the yellow leaves - the plant may be shedding some of its older leaves after new vigorous growth. Otherwise, yellowing leaves can also occur from stressfull conditions, too much fertilizer, too wet conditons or some insecticide application. It sounds like a lot to consider.

   Comment by May — 7/16/2006 @ 4:27 am

8. My husband recently received a confederate rose in a pot while visiting in Louisiana. It was a start and well rooted and potted in local soil. Ideally we would like to plant it in our yard in Northern New Mexico. Our zone is 6-7. Any pointers? Should it stay in a pot that will be covered or brought inside in the winter or is it doomed.

   There is conflicting information on the hardiness of Confederate rose, zone 7-9 Floridata, 8-10Botanica and as low as 5-9. You may be able to plant it in the yard and mulch it for the winter. The top of the plant will die back from frost and cold temperatures. If that happens, cut down the plant to 4 inches above the ground and it should grow back from the roots next spring.

   Comment by Sharron Torres — 8/27/2006 @ 7:55 am

9. I found some confederate rose seeds, and am curious as to whether they will sprout easily from seed, or do they need some special care?

   The seeds sprout easily. Plant in early spring to get the seeds growing and then the seedlings will be ready for the warm weather outdoors. Plant seed 1/4-1/2″ deep in a seed starting medium @ temperatures of 75-80 degrees. Keep the medium moist, not wet. Seeds should germinate in 1 week -to one month. Once the seedlings have several sets of their true leaves and the stems become woody 3-4″ plants, transplant into individual pots.

   Comment by Lynn P. — 9/1/2006 @ 9:21 pm

10. PROPAGATE FROM CUTTINGS
    I have tried to start a triming from my confederate rose only, to have the trimings died. I put them in water and they just wilted up. I left them outside but, I need some advice on what I could of done wrong . I am trying to get these started for friends. I would like to know can I dig the rose up and move it. Thank you…

    If you first don’t suceed try again. There are several ways to propagate your confederate rose. Fall- try rooting your cutting a a bucket of damp sand instead of water and keep it out of direct sunlight. You will have to store it in a cool (not freezing) spot for the winter. If that doesn’t work try it in the spring with new growth. Start with pencil thick 5-6 inch cutting of firm new growth, strip off the lower leaves and insert cutting in a mix of 3 parts sand to 1 part peat. Rooting is quicker and should take 4-5 weeks. Transplant when the plant is dormant or in early spring.

    Dawn Spiegelhoff
    I have confederate rose trees and I want to start one for my mother, how do I do this from the trees I all ready have.

    The best time to take cuttings is in the fall before the first freeze. Cuttings should be 12-15″ and can be started in water, in a warm,sunny spot. It takes about 8 weeks for a good root. Then transplant into a pot and keep moist. I read that when you transplant wet the soil and let it go dry naturally, so that the “water” roots have time to readjust to the new environment.

    Comment by sandy — 9/21/2006 @ 8:44 am

11. I lnow there is something that I am not doing right. I cut put it in sand, and some in water and still nothing. Either I have a rotten thumb or a stubborn plant. I want to know if I cut the new ones if I cut the ones with the rose’s on them or cut without? I just can not fiqure out what I am doing wrong? Thanks again for your help.

    Try again. Use cuttings with new green growth and no flowers on them. Try a cutting that is 12-15 inches long. If you don’t have success this time of year, try in the spring-rooting is quicker. I find certain plants root better in the active growing season with longer daylight hours.

    Comment by sandy — 10/16/2006 @ 6:26 am

12. I have read all of your comments,but none help. I live in Jax,Fl,My confederate rose is about 8 ft tall and straggly.I need to know when to prune.We don’t get much frost here,so I'’m not sure when to prune.I also need to know how far down to cut it.It also
    has a problem with whiteflies.Help.thanks

    The best time to do any heavy pruning on your Confederate Rose is in early spring. Pruning in the fall/winter can encourage new growth which will be prone to cold damage. You can cut back 1/3 to 1/2 of the branches down to 1/2 up to 6 inches above the ground of the stem and then prune the rest one month later. This way you will reduce the size, get a fuller bush and still have flowers. Remember heavy pruning can delay blooming. You can also prune lightly throughout the year. In colder regions Confederate rose will die back to the ground and the roots will send up new growth which bloom that summer. For the whitefly problem click here

    Comment by Linda Mills — 1/23/2007 @ 5:11 pm

13. I have clippings from a Confederate Rose that I got last October. I put them in a vase and they rooted very well over the winter. They have leaves on them and are ready for planting. I put them in the ground and they just wilted and now have a white powder around the edges of the leaves. I water it twice a day and it still will not come back. What do I need to do. I live in Middle Tennessee (zone 6)?

    The roots needed to adjust to the difference in being in water versus soil. One thing you could have done before planting outdoors is potted the rooted stem in well-drained soil, soaked the soil, and allow it to slowly dry out giving the roots time to acclimate, then watering again when the top inch is dry. They are delicate at this stage and need some protection from bright light to readjust from the lower light indoor conditions. Unless the weather has been hot and dry, you probably don’t need to water it 2x a day. Just because it’s wilting doesn’t mean it needs water. When roots are stressed, they cannot supply the leaves with nutrients thereby causing them to wilt. You may be stressing the roots by overwatering . Shade it and don’t soak the soil. Hopefully, the roots will recover.

    Comment by Angela — 3/28/2007 @ 10:04 am

14. My Confederate Rose tree is about three feet tall and I want to transplant it because I believe it is not blooming and looking unhealthy because it is in a shady location. What is the best way and time to do relocate it to a sunny spot. I live in North Florida.

    You can move it now in the spring . Dig up as much of the root ball as possible without breaking it up. Once planted, water it thoroughly and then allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Keep the tree moist - not wet in its new spot.

    Comment by kimberly — 5/12/2007 @ 4:47 pm

15. I need to know If the roots will go to the sewer line are mess up the slab of the house. My rose is planted 2 ft. from the house and the sewer line runs close. If so how deep are the roots and what should I do about it. Thanks Nancy

    Confederate rose can grow up to 15′ tall and 10-12′ wide. If yours is planted 2′ from the house, I would suggest that you move it further out so that not only it has room to grow but keep the roots away from your sewer line. Roots can grow past the drip line- in search of water, so if a shrub/tree is 10 ft. wide, expect the roots to extends 6-7′ from the radius (center) of the shrub

    Comment by Nancy Campbell — 5/20/2007 @ 6:38 pm

16. I am trying to find a Conferderate Rose. My son and husband both loved them but the one we had died. They were both killed 2 years ago and I would like to find one to plant in the cemetary.

    Sorry for your loss. Confederate rose seem to be difficult to find. There are some advertised in the ads on top of this page for purchase on the internet. What part of the country do you live in? Perhaps someone out there can recommend a source. You can also contact your local nursery.

    Comment by Joan Billingsley — 7/9/2007 @ 5:57 am

17. I HAVE A CONFERDERATE ROSE IT IS SO PRETTY.WHEN OPEN
    THANK -ROSE

    Comment by rose — 10/3/2007 @ 7:37 am

18. i have a Confederate Rose i would like to move when is the best time to move?

    Best time to transplant a confederate rose is in early spring.

    Comment by v carney — 10/18/2007 @ 10:51 am

19. I live in zone 7 and have just put some cuttings in a quart of water. I don’t get full sun in any part of my trailer because it faces west. Where would be a good place to put them for the light?

    The cuttings don’t need full sun. Indirect light will do just fine. When the cuttings root, pot them up, and then place them in brighter light (full to part shade)-by that time they may even be able to go outdoors.

    Comment by amy hinkle — 12/31/2007 @ 4:03 pm

20. The cuttings that I’m rooting in a jar are smelling pretty bad right now. What can I do about the smell of stench? I was told not to change the water just add more as needed.

    Hi Amy,
    If the water is smelling bad that means there is some kind of bacterial or fungal growth going on. I would definitely change the water, clean the container with a 10% bleach solution and rinse out the roots under running water (if you have any). Check the cuttings, if they are soft, mushy then you will need to start all over with new cuttings. Try again in early spring.

    Comment by amy hinkle — 1/16/2008 @ 11:05 pm

21. I like the information I found here thank you

    Comment by Brenda — 1/18/2008 @ 7:25 pm

22. I recently brought home 4 Confederate Rose cuttings from my mother in South Carolina. They’re are in water and doing wonderful! Problem: I live in Idaho ( Zone 4), can I plant these anywhere outside or do I have keep them inside?

    Hi Debby
    Unfortunately, Confederate Rose is hardy in zone 8-10 a much warmer climate. You will need to grow it in a container outdoors and bring it indoors for the winter.

    Comment by Debby — 1/26/2008 @ 12:07 pm

23. Comment on Plant & Gardening Tips, for topic: Confederate Rose

    I really need help. I have 2 Confederate Roses. One is about 7 to 10 feet tall and is planted next to a Cedar tree and a Crape Myrtle tree. I really need to move it but I don’t know if I need to trim it back before I move it or after I move it. Any help will be very useful to me.
    Thank you. I forgot to say that I live in Texas about 50 miles north of Houston.
    Thanks again.
    Shirley

    Hi Shirley
    Confederate rose does not like to be crowded. The best time to move it is in the spring before bud break. You can trim the branches by 1/2 or more before you move it. They bloom in the fall on current season growth, so late winter/earlyspring is a good time to prune.

    Comment by Shirley — 1/31/2008 @ 9:57 pm

24. I have 2 Confederate Roses. One is about 10 ft. tall and is already leafing out. This is the one that I need to move. The other comes back from the roots. It only gets about 4 ft. tall. The tall Rose is a double flower and is so pretty when it opens up. The small Rose is a single bloom. Why is one so tall and the other so short? I really need to move the tall Rose but I don’t dare to cut it back since it is leafing out. I know that it is only the middle of February but in Texas the weather is crazy. So what can I do to move it?

    Now is a good time to move it. Cut it down by 2/3 or even to a 6 inch stub and dig it up with a root ball of at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Reducing the size will give the transplant a better chance to reacclimate. Replant and give it a good watering. It should root and send out new growth as the weather warms up. Confederate rose dies back in colder areas and regrows the following season.
    It is possible that the smaller single bloom hibiscus is Hibiscus coccineus Texas Star Hibiscus (lobed leaves) or Hibiscus moscheutos (large dinner plate size flowers). Both are perennial hibiscus that die back in winter and return in spring.

    Comment by Shirley — 2/16/2008 @ 10:59 am

25. The small plant is a Confederate Rose also. I have 3 Star of Texas hibiscus and they aren’t the same. The leaves are different and so are the blooms. The tall Confederate Rose is about 10 feet tall and loaded with budding leaves and I know that the roots are tangled with the Crape Myrtle and the Cedar so how am I to cut it back to 6 inches.

    You can cut it back to half its size if you want but you need to get as many roots as possible (at least 12 wide and 12 deep rootball) even if they are tangled with other plants. When transplanting, the less leaf growth, the better chance for the roots to regrow because they don’t have to spend all their energy supporting the growing leaves that’s why the plant will wilt after transplanting. If you are unconfortable transplanting at this time you may want to wait till next early winter when the tree is dormant otherwise you need to transplant soon before the leaves are fully opened.

    Comment by shirley — 2/18/2008 @ 8:31 pm

26. I have gone from 8 flowers beds to having to learn to container garden and have just been given 2 healthy sprigs of confedrate rose. Great roots. Can I plant them in a container and where should I put them?

    You can plant them in well drained soil in large containers. Start with part shade and eventually ease the new plantings into full sun.

    Comment by Anne Briggs — 3/3/2008 @ 11:19 am

27. I have a Confederate Rose Tree that is at least 15 feet tall but is scraggley I think due to the whiteflies we had at the end of it’s blooming season last year. I live in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and want to know since it is May, is it too late to prune back. I read your other articles but you said early spring for pruning. This was a tree my Mother gave my Husband and she died in October. We already lost the original tree and this is a cutting that has prospered. Help.

    Hi Cindy
    You can prune it back in late spring but because Confederate rose produces flower buds on current season’s growth you will sacrifice or delay flowering. According to University of Fla. to control the size without completely loosing all flowers, prune 1/3 to 1/2 of the branches and then wait a month and prune the rest. Light pruning can be done anytime except late fall.

    Comment by Cindy Everage — 5/7/2008 @ 10:30 am

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