Comments on: Confederate Rose

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?

By: Bill Martin

Bill Martin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:55:11 +0000

August 3,2009 My Confederate rose transplant,is about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.I need to move it,when is the best time and can I cut some of those small branches off and transplant them.It is a beautiful plant and I certainly don!t want it to die.Thanks for any help you can provide.

hi Bill
The best time to move it is in late winter/early spring when it is dormant. 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.
If you cut off some branches you need to root them before planting them in the ground.

By: Jame Thomas Horn

Jame Thomas Horn — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:21:52 +0000

After CR has bloomed, can you actually make cuttings then?
Jim Horn

Hi Jim
Yes, you can take cuttings after bloom. You can root green wood or semi-ripe nodal cuttings in summer and autumn with a bottom soil heat of 59-68F (15-20C).