Comments on: Confederate Rose

By: SHEILA SMOAK

SHEILA SMOAK — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:35:20 +0000

I live in Coastal Louisiana and recently got a confederate rose tree as a gift from my sister. I planted it in my front yard in late October and about 5-6 weeks later we had a frost and snow. The weather has been above normal cold with several frosts and we are now expecting a hard freeze with temps in the low 20’s. All the leaves fell from the tree at the first frost. My question is …do you think the tree had enough time to establish it’s root system in the ground before the first freeze and do you think it is going to come back in the spring or is it dead? What else should I do to protect this tree from the hard freeze that is coming next week?

Hi Sheila
The weather has been quite unpredictable. Your confederate rose may or may not have had time to establish a good root system. If it had 6-8 weeks of root growth then it may be alright. You will find out in spring. They do die back to the ground when exposed to freezing temperatures but can return in spring when the soil warms up. All you can do is protect the roots. For added winter protected add 2-3″ of mulch around the base of the tree, staying away from the trunk, this will keep the roots insulated.

By: jan

jan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:36:21 +0000

Hello, I live in North Central Florida near Tallahassee.
We have been growing Confederate Roses for years and sharing them. There are three different bloom types we have in this area. One called the single = starts out white and turns pink. There is a double which has fuller blooms but still changes color. My Mom gave me a cutting from a triple – really full blooms, however the triple opens pink and stays pink. There may sometimes be a tiny bit of white inside the bloom but very little. They are all easy to grow and propagate from the stems. I do have some seeds this year and am going to try to begin new plants.

Hi Jan
Thanks for the comment. I’m wondering if the triple confederate rose is a hybrid. If you plant the seeds from a hybrid, it may not produce the same flowers as the original plant. In addition, hybrid plants don’t produce a lot of viable seeds. Wish you luck and let us know how you did.
Happy holiday!

By: M Gaskill

M Gaskill — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:01:20 +0000

I have inherited a Confederate Rose that is still in a pot even though I know it has been outdoors for many years. I thought it was dead, but sat it under a tree until I could decide what to do with it. Overnight it has grown leaves and is blooming. My question is should I wait to plant it until the Spring? Also, I’m not sure where to plant it. I live in eastern North Carolina. Thank you for your help.

You could plant it now or in the spring. Plant it in a sunny area with well drained soil. Allow room for it to spread. If you plant it in the fall be sure to mulch the roots after a hard freeze. The top of the plant will die back from frost. If that happens, cut down the plant to 4 inches above the ground and it should grow back from the roots next spring.

By: Joyce S. Speares

Joyce S. Speares — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:23:46 +0000

Gall midge
I have had a Confederate Rose bush in my yard for about
4 years and it has been simply beautiful until this year. I have noticed tiny white worms in the bud before it turns yellow and doesn’t make a flower.What could be the problem? Would appreciate your help.
Thanks.

HI Joyce
You may have gall midge – a small fly that infests flower buds. http://www.trop-hibiscus.com/g.midge.html

By: Jerry Campbell

Jerry Campbell — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:27:33 +0000

How do I collect seed from the Confederate Rose?

By: elizabeth burdick

elizabeth burdick — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:00:34 +0000

Elizabeth I have two confederate roses that are six years old, I’ve never cut them back so there big and wide but they only have light pink and dark pink flowers what can I do to get white flowers? I do see some down the road with all three colors.I have also gave many cuttings from them they are very easy to root.

By: Stan Takeshita

Stan Takeshita — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:57:29 +0000

Please tell me how the flower got its name. My wife said it had to do something about the civil war.

Hi Stan
The legend is that the flower changes color from light pink to dark red as the day goes on. It soaks up the blood that was shed on the fields during the Civil war.
After the Civil war impoverished Southern gardeners grew this shrub because it was easily propagated and was a good substitute for shrubs they could not afford.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:28:03 +0000

Confederate rose toxic?
Can you tell me if Confederate Rose is poisonous?
Thanks.

Hi Barbara
I have not found any info that claims that it is poisonous. Hibiscus sp. are listed as non-toxic. In fact, in one variety (H. sabdarifla) the flowers sepals (fruit) are used to make a drink.

By: Lydia Tisdale

Lydia Tisdale — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:17:17 +0000

I have a Confederate Rose that I grew from seed. I have had it 3 years and it does not bloom. We live in SC and it is in full sun. I cut it back every spring and it comes back just fine. The tree I got the seeds from blooms beautifully. What do I need to do to incourage blooms?

By: Willette Corley

Willette Corley — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:05:16 +0000

My husband got a cutting of a confederate rose for me earlier this year (in May). He stuck it in a bucket of water outside and the cutting now has lots of roots. It is now the first day of fall (Sept 22). Is it too late in the season to plant in the ground in South Carolina?