Plant Care and Gardening Tips

Gardening advice and plant care notes

December 1, 2005 · Confederate rose / Garden Review / Hibiscus / TROPICAL PLANTS

Confederate Rose

I have recently purchased a Confederate Rose. My grandmother called it a Cotton Rose. I’d appreciate any information you can give me about this plant. Does it like full/partial sun? Mature height? My neighbor has two that are trees; can I train my potted bushy plant into a tree? If not, can you give me the estimated spread of the plant at maturity? All information you can give me would be so helpful. Thanks.

Confederate rose  (Hibiscus mutabilis) also referred to as Cotton Rose likes full sun, well-drained , slightly acid soil. It grows as a multi-branched shrub or a small deciduous tree with low branches which can get up to 12 feet tall and wide so allow room for expansion. Flowers bloom white and by evening turn into a shade of pink. You can have 3 distinct colors on the bush at the same time;  white, pale pink and deep pink .

Confederate rose can be invasive in warmer climates. It is hardy in zone 8-10 and will die back with the first hard freeze but return in spring getting larger each year. If you are growing it in a container it will be easy to maintain. To shape it into a tree, choose one large dominant branch and cut away all others.

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91 Comments

  1. Hazel - December 31, 2005 at 3:43 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Christine Hurst - July 13, 2006 at 5:55 pm

    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 .

    Reply
  3. May - July 16, 2006 at 4:27 am

    Not blooming
    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.

    Reply
  4. Lynn P. - September 1, 2006 at 9:21 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. sandy - September 21, 2006 at 8:44 am

    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.

    Reply
  6. sandy - October 16, 2006 at 6:26 am

    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.

    Reply
  7. Linda Mills - January 23, 2007 at 5:11 pm

    Pruning Confederate rose
    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

    Reply
  8. Angela - March 28, 2007 at 10:04 am

    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.

    Reply
  9. kimberly - May 12, 2007 at 4:47 pm

    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.

    Reply
  10. Nancy Campbell - May 20, 2007 at 6:38 pm

    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

    Reply
  11. v carney - October 18, 2007 at 10:51 am

    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.

    Reply
  12. amy hinkle - December 31, 2007 at 4:03 pm

    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.

    Reply
  13. amy hinkle - January 16, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    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.

    Reply
  14. Debby - January 26, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    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.

    Reply
  15. Shirley - January 31, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    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.

    Reply
  16. Shirley - February 16, 2008 at 10:59 am

    Transplanting confederate rose
    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?

    Early spring 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.

    Reply
  17. shirley - February 18, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    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.

    Reply
  18. Anne Briggs - March 3, 2008 at 11:19 am

    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.

    Reply
  19. Cindy Everage - May 7, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Pruning Confederate rose

    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.

    Reply
  20. Phyl - May 31, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    When I trimmed my Confederate Rose I kept a number of cuttings which I put in Root Tone and then into a flower pot with dirt. Two months later the leaves are as big as my hand. (Size 8 for reference)

    Reply
  21. Les - July 16, 2008 at 2:23 pm

    Our recent growth leaves on the Confederate roses has curled up and is tight and twisted.The plants do not appear to be dying but are strange looking. The earlier leaves were and are just fine. This did not happen last year!! What is going on?? I’ve just dusted them with Sevin, but…..
    Any ideas?

    Twisted and distorted leaves can be the result of insect damage such as aphids. You don’t mention what you used the Sevin for.

    Reply
  22. Les - July 19, 2008 at 7:15 am

    To follow-up on my question regarding twisting & curling leaves. I used the Sevin dust as a precautionary measure against mites or Aphids although I did not see any insects. Is there any thing else that you might suggest I do?

    The twisting & curling leaves may also be the result of herbicide drift damage. If anyone has sprayed with a chemical that contains 24D or weed-b-gon on a windy day closeby, the wind can carry the herbicide to the new leaves and cause damage. Viral infection can also cause distorted leaves. If you find aphids on the tree, a milder solution is to use a hard spray of water or insecticidal soap. The tree may recover on its own and unless you find insects then there is nothing you can.
    To avoid plant injury from spraying chemicals you should make sure that the plant is not under stress (too dry or too wet). Apply insecticide early in the morning before the plant is in full sun and when temperatures are below 90F (if above do not spray your plants). Also check the label

    Reply
  23. janel - July 20, 2008 at 11:25 am

    To the people looking for Confederate Rose seeds – I bought seeds on Ebay about 2 years ago and I planted in a pot just a few weeks ago and they all sprouted. Today I moved them to their own pots (even though I’ve just read above that I should have waited until the stems were woody). Since it’s July and I live in Jacksonville Florida I think I’ll replant them all again (I have about 18 that sprouted out of about 20 seeds) into bigger pots (2 or 3 gallon) when they are much bigger and wait until next spring to plant outside. I figured this way I can still bring them in on the days we have a freeze warning until they’re nice and strong. So yes it is possible to grow Confederate rose from seeds and that’s a good place to find people selling seeds from their own stock 🙂 Good luck!

    Reply
  24. Glenda Smith - August 30, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    my confederate roses have little white mite looking bugs on them & they are eating the leaves , how can i get rid of them ? Thanks Glenda

    Hi Glenda
    Do the white bugs fly? If so they may be white fly.

    Reply
  25. Cheryl - September 14, 2008 at 7:46 am

    i have green worms on the leaves of my confederate rose bush. how can i get rid of them without damaging the flower buds

    Hi Cheryl
    Try spraying the leaves with Bacillus thuringiensis sold as Dipel, Bactur, Thuricide. BT is a safe biological control which the caterpillars must eat for it to be effective. Spray the plant when they a feeding. Once the caterpillar chews on the leaves and eats the parasitic bacteria it will die within 24 hours.

    Reply
  26. JanLH - September 25, 2008 at 9:35 am

    I have been told that the plant I have growing in the back yard maybe a confederate rose.
    When we moved into the house (Mobile Alabama) this past spring it was cut to the ground. A friend claimed it it was a fig tree because of its broad flat leaves, & we almost dug it out as it is right at the edge of the patio, but just never got around to it. Now 7 months later it is abt 12 ft tall, and starting to bloom huge gorgeous pink flowers on the top of the canopy of the plant..the buds almost look like a peonies and there are hundreds of them, The flowers, when open are huge (abt 8″ accross) and look almost like tissue paper flowers.
    Does this sound like a confederate rose?
    I know it is hard to guess, but if so, I would love to know how to get it to produce more plants.

    Hi Jan
    It does sound like a Confederate rose ( Hibiscus mutabilis). They are very impressive this time of year. For a picture see http://www.floridata.com/plant1/plantbynumber.cfm?FDID=281.
    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

    Reply
  27. JanLH - October 7, 2008 at 9:48 am

    Yep thats it, thanks so much for your information on this flowering plant, in all my years in the south I have never before seen one. I definetly plan to try to produce new ones from this. As it is absolutely gorgeous, and over 2 weeks later from my first post, it is still blooming and still has tons of unopened blooms to go, What a treasure to find!

    Reply
  28. JanLH - October 7, 2008 at 9:52 am

    I do have one other question, when we moved into this home in March, the plant was cut back to the ground, it obviously thrived in spite of that, since its probably 20ft tall now..Should I cut it back again this winter? Or is it better left alone?
    thanks
    Jan

    Hi Jan
    Confederate rose can be cut back to a foot off the ground in the winter and will come back from the roots and bloom each year. Your tree is fool proof of that. Mulch the roots with woodchips etc. to protect the roots in winter.

    Reply
  29. Janet - November 1, 2008 at 6:21 am

    I llive in N. Florida and my father has just pruchased several Confederate Roses from a nursery for me. They have several buds are are 1Ft to 3 ft. tall. Should I kep them in the nursery pots until spring and perhaps keep them in the garage? Or is it possible to plant them now?

    Hi Janet
    Confederate Jasmine is hardy in zone 7-9. Florida is in zone 9. You can plant them now. They should have enough time to establish before any frost comes along and may keep blooming thru November. When the weather gets colder, be sure to mulch the plant to protect it from winter cold. It will drop its leaves after a frost but will regrow in the spring. The ideal time to plant is spring but I think it will have a better survival rate planted outdoors.

    Reply
  30. Nancy - November 1, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    Is confederate rose propagated using the woody stem or the green stem? Can the roses be used for cut flowers?

    Hi Nancy
    Confederate rose cuttings can be propagated both ways. It depends on what time of year you are taking the cuttings. The best time to take cutting is before the first freeze-these should be semi-hardwood cuttings. Place the cuttings in jars of water in a warm, sunny east window. They should root in about 8 weeks.
    I have not used them as cut flowers but I would guess that they would make a great cut flower. Let us know.

    Reply
  31. Phil - December 13, 2008 at 10:43 am

    I live in Arkansas, Zone 7a. I purchased a balled confederate rose (4″ ball, 10″ shoot)from a mail order nursery. Is it OK to plant in the ground now in mid December or should I possibly pot it & keep it indoors or in the cool garage to keep it out of the coldest part of the winter & plant it next spring?

    Hi Phil
    Given the eradic weather patterns we experiencing, I would pot it up and keep your Confederate rose in a cool garage until the worst part of winter is over then plant it in early spring.

    Reply
  32. Ginny - December 17, 2008 at 10:24 am

    Prune confederate rose
    My confederate rose is huge and I am thinking about doing some drastic pruning. It has spread out to about 25 feet and is at least 15 feet tall. Should I wait for early spring, say April or May or can this be done in December or January. I live in south Georgia

    Hi Ginny
    You can prune your Confederate rose while it is dormant; at the end of winter, no later than early spring before new growth starts and treat of frost has passed.

    Reply
  33. Chris - March 8, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    My mother-n-law dug up a small Confederate rose bush/tree to give me but forgot about it and waited three weeks to give it to me. I planted it day before yesterday and have been giving it plenty of water ever since. I looks like three sticks sticking out of the ground. Do you think it can be saved or was it to late? Thanks.

    Hi Chris
    I guess its wait and see what happens. If the roots were kept moist there may be a good chance it will survive.

    Reply
  34. Jim Horn - April 3, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    Bought four confederate rose plants about two feet high and planted them in early last spring. Planted them on all 4 sides of my house. Ones on south, west and north did not do to good. One on west side had one bloom. The one on east side with half sun grew great with 6 blooms. Cut it back and cut off sprigs from all trees. Sprigs from east side tree are only ones that grew and have green leaves on the end of them. Kept them in garage in half way in water all winter. Gardening is a pure guess and a gamble. Don’t ever give up trying. If 25% come up good that is better then none at all.
    Jim Horn
    Bolivia, NC

    Great insight! Thanks for the words of wisdom.

    Reply
  35. Janet - April 9, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    A friend of mine gave me a confederate Rose last year & it never really bloomed. I got a few & then then dropped doff. I never cut it back & not real sure what to do with it. Right now it looks like a bunch of dead sticks sticking out of the ground.

    Hi Janet
    Cut your confederate rose sticks by 1/2 or up to 6 inches above the soil line (usually done in early spring). If the roots are healthy, it will come back fuller and better. They die back to the ground in marginally hardy areas and come back in spring so don’t be afraid to prune it.

    Reply
  36. Lucy - April 22, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    I planted a confederate rose sprig last spring. It lived all summer, bloomed a few blooms and was a healthy plant. I did not take it up in the winter. Is it dead now? Or do I have to be a little more patient? Thanks,
    Lucy

    Hi Lucy,
    If you live in a marginal climate for confederate rose then there’s the possibility that it died down to the ground but may come back when the soil warms up. Be patient, it may still sprout up.

    Reply
  37. Emmie - April 24, 2009 at 7:20 am

    I planted three confederate roses last year in early fall. I am in zone 9 by the way. So far this year there is no growth at all. What did I do wrong? Is there any chance they will come back? Please help.

    Did they die back to the ground? If they were too cold in the winter they will die back and regrow from the ground. Conferderate rose like warm soil temperature. Give them a little more time to come back.

    Reply
  38. acrocker - May 5, 2009 at 6:14 am

    had to cut back my confed.rose it was taking over walk way so my mother and husband finally talked me into
    this past yr.it hasnt got a shred of life to it.at least i dont think.give it more time or dig it up?

    Give it more time.

    Reply
  39. Tony - May 6, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    I need to plant some Cupressus semperviens’Glauca’ pencil pine along fence line the area between the concrete and the fence is only 1 foot do they have a large root ball.

    HI Tony
    I don’t think 1 foot is enough for the pencil pine. The root ball is dependant on the size of the overall plant. They will need more room for root growth. More info on the cypress

    Reply
  40. karen - May 10, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    Plant rooted cuttings
    I need help. Someone gave me some cuttings of a Confederate Rose. They are already rooted. He gave me 6 of them & they are all any where from 3 feet tall to 5 feet tall. They have new growth at the very top of the stick. My question is , can I plant these in the ground now & is there anything I need to do for them when I do & will they do ok planting them because they are such tall sticks w/ new growth at the top? I live in North east Alabama.

    Hi Karen
    Plant them in the ground and give them a good watering. Cut the stems back by 1/3-1/2 to get a bushy, sturdy stems.

    Reply
  41. Debbie - June 14, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    We have a Confederate Rose tree in our backyard and it has suddenly gotten droopy and alot of yellow leaves. We haven’t done anything different to it. When it started to look like that I watered it but it didn’t help. It has been in the 90’s for the last few weeks but it was that hot last year and we had no problem. We didn’t even water it. Please help me, it makes some gorgeous flowers. I don’t want to lose it.

    Hi Debbie,
    Each year growth is different. It could be a number of things. It could be too much water or not enough. A plant will shed its leaves when the roots cannot keep up with the top growth. Too much water and not enough water can cause the plant to shed its leaves. Prior to the heat wave, have you had a lot of rain? If the soil is soaked and the plant is still wilting, then its a root problem-possibly from too much water. If the plant responds to a good soaking then you’ll know what it needed.

    Reply
  42. Jo Ann - June 25, 2009 at 11:00 am

    I have just rooted several cuttings from a Confederate Rose plant. I have enjoyed reading all of the comments and am looking forward to being able to share some of my rootings with my family.

    Reply
  43. Norma - June 25, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Our Confederate Rose is trying to bloom. It has several
    buds and one bloom. It is June and usually doesn’t bloom
    until October. We live in the Dallas area. Is it confused?
    This past week has been very hot. It is in a sunny location.

    It may be confused-the crazy weather will do that.

    Reply
  44. Priscilla Jackson - July 2, 2009 at 11:42 am

    I planted a Confederate Rose cutting that almost didn’t make through the past winter, I planted it around early May. My problem is it is in shade in the morning hours (til about 10 am) shade in late afternoon, full sun the rest of the day. The leaves get REAL droopy when in the sun, is this normal? The parent plant is in shade most of the day and is doing great! I’m in Northeast Mississippi (zone 7)

    Reply
  45. Edith - July 18, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Planting in hot weather
    Hi I just bought a Confederate Rose about 2 ft tall in pot. can I plant in yard in this hot central Al weather?

    Hi Edith
    Planting your confederate rose would be better on cooler,cloudy days to avoid leaf transpiration and transplant shock, that is why its usally better to plant in spring or fall. If you do plant, make sure you keep it well watered, mulch around the plant and provide some shade (a large umbrella would work).

    Reply
  46. Phil - July 25, 2009 at 11:30 am

    Propagate cuttings
    Hi, I took some cuttings earlier this month, even though I heard spring and fall were best. I put them in a good sized jar with some willow water, and they formed roots in less than 2 weeks. I put the cuttings in 30% potting mix 30% peat and 30% perlite, gave it a good soaking, put it in some decent shade, and now it is the 25th and they have grown roots to the bottom of the container. This really is an easy plant to propagate. Compared to others that is. It has been really humid here in mid GA so maybe that helped. I think shade and humidity for the cuttings are the most important things.

    Thanks for the tip! Phil

    Reply
  47. Jame Thomas Horn - July 26, 2009 at 6:21 am

    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).

    Reply
  48. Bill Martin - August 3, 2009 at 5:55 am

    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.

    Reply
  49. Barbara - October 2, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    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.

    Reply
  50. Stan Takeshita - October 6, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    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.

    Reply
  51. Joyce S. Speares - October 15, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    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

    Reply
  52. M Gaskill - November 3, 2009 at 9:01 am

    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.

    Reply
  53. jan - December 15, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    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!

    Reply
  54. SHEILA SMOAK - January 1, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    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.

    Reply
  55. Stan - July 7, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    My confederate rose emerged beautifully in the spring, full of leaves and new growth despite a number of days of freezing temperatures last winter. Suddenly, the leaves turned yellow, curled up, and dropped off the tree. The tree is currently bare, completely stripped of its leaves. Is it dead or still thinking? Any ideas regarding why it started to drop leaves and remains a bare tree without leaves or blooms in mid-summer in southeast Texas?

    Hi Stan
    Have you had rain, drought?

    Reply
  56. Laurie - August 3, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Pruning and no bloom
    I live in zone 9 about 45 miles sw of Houston, Tx. My CR was planted in April and it was about 10 inches tall. It is now about 4 feet. We have had a lot of rain but it is growing and looking good. It is one straight stem with lots of leaves. Would it be better to cut it back when it is spring or just leave it alone? Also should I expect it to bloom this blooming season?

    Hi Laurie
    You can cut back your Confederate rose down to 1/2 up to 6 inches above the ground in early spring. This way you will reduce the size, get a fuller bushier tree. 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.
    I’m not sure if it will bloom this year. It usually starts to bloom in mid-summer to fall. You don’t mention fertilzer. 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.

    Reply
  57. Lynn - August 13, 2010 at 6:24 pm

    I live in central Texas,45 minutes northwest of Austin. I got twigs last year soaking in water. I put off planting them and thought they were dead. With very little roots and some twigs with very short sad looking roots, I planted them anyway probably early fall. I didn’t think they would make it. They looked totally dead this spring. I didn’t water them for a while because I thought they were dead. I began to water them and they all came back except for two. Should I leave them in the pots (large whiskey barrel cut in half, and two medium sized pots) for winter? If so, should I cut them back after the first freeze? If you say leave in the pots, should I bring in the smaller pots inside an outbuilding with no heat when winter hits and cut them back. Or do I still have time to get them in the ground? Please advise.

    Hi Lynn
    Plant them in the ground asap so that they can establish a root system before winter. The other option is to leave them in the whiskey barrel over the winter. If the frost/cold doesn’t kill off the stems, you can always cut them back in late winter/early spring.

    Reply
  58. Sally - May 10, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Deer resistant
    Is the Conf Rose deer resistant? (oxymoron- they will eat anything). But will they mow it over, and I should keep it close to the house? It sure looks tasty, and saw they make a tea out of parts…thanks

    HI Sally
    I cannot find any concrete info on whether it is deer resistant. Most hibiscus are listed as deer resistant but h. mutabilis is not mentioned. It has fuzzy leaves which is something deer don’t like. My guess would be that it is. Perhaps someone out there has more info on this.

    Reply
  60. Charlize - August 10, 2011 at 6:31 am

    Insect problem
    My Confederate Rose is about 9 ft tall. I have flies on it that look like blow flies and on the back of the leaves are tiny white bugs, at least I guess they’re bugs, not sure, anyway they are covering the back of the leaves and leaves are turning yellow. I would appreciate any advice you can give me on how to correct the problem. Thanks.

    HI Charlize
    Do the white bugs fly when they are disturbed? Or are the insects, soft bodied, oval to pear shape (aphids)

    Reply
  61. Noreen - September 29, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Holes in flower buds
    Our Confederate Rose Trees are now full of buds. The buds have small black holes like a bug is eating into them. We cannot see the bug. What can this be and how do we get rid of it?
    Thank you

    Hi Noreen
    Some possible insects that can chew holes in the flower buds are weevils, caterpillars and thrips. Once you can ID the insect, then treat it with the recommended treatment. A systemic insecticide can take care of most insects.

    Reply
  62. tom - October 9, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Rooted cuttings
    Live in zone 8 near ocean. Recently rec’d several confederate rose cuttings, good roots, in water. Question is what do I do now? Leave them in water over winter? Pot and keep inside or plant in ground outside now? Last 2 winters unusually cold, several weeks of below freezing. If I pot now, do I keep inside or in cooler place, in dark or in sun, water regularly or not?

    Hi Tom
    I would pot it up and keep it as a houseplant (indoors) through the winter. Don’t leave it in water. If it drops all its leaves, place it in a cool dark area such as a basement or garage to keep it dormant for the winter. Be sure to occasionally water the soil so that it doesn’t dry out completely.

    Reply
  63. Beuna Parziale - October 12, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    I planted a CR a couple of years ago and it grew very fast and very tall, but had very few flowers appear. I cut it down last year to about 4-6 inches above the ground and this summer it grew taller and wider than ever. It is completely FULL of blooms, but is now Oct. 12 and still no flowers. Can you tell me why it didn’t bloom this year? I am ready to cut it back again, but really wanted to see the flowers emerge from so many buds. I live in Chesapeake, VA and this came from a cutter of a very old plant. Some advice, please.

    Reply
  64. joan griffin - October 27, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    my conf.rose is triple white opening turns pink and then to dark rose. Produces hundreds of seeds which I have planted over the years and also produce hundreds of seedlings however have only been able to transplant and establish one bush which is same as parent. What is proper way and time to replant the seedlings to larger pots that seem to be their demise. Gainesville,F

    Hi Joan
    Sorry you are having such a tough time with your seedling transplants. Try to pot them in the appropriate size pot. Do baby steps when transplanting. If the seedling is small put them in a 3-6″ pot. Once the roots fill in then go an inch larger. Also make sure the soil is well-drained. When you transplant, water the seedlings thoroughly and then wait until the top 1-2 ” of soil is dry before watering. This will encourage the roots to go deeper for water. Hope this helps. Best time to transplant is in early spring.

    Reply
  65. Carol Hancock - January 30, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Move water rooted plant to soil
    I have rooted a bunch of confederate rose bush limbs that are about 20 inches I rooted them in my kittchen over the winter and they have roots and saucer size leaves on them. I rooted them in water now I need to know what to do to get them ready for outside planting. I know there is something about things that are rooted in water that you must do before transplanting them outside but I can’t remember what my Uncle done or said to do.

    Hi Carol
    Roots that grow in water are more delicate so you have to acclimate them to soil. There are several ways people have tried. Soak the soil before planting and fill the pot 1/2 way add the rooted stem and then the rest of the soil. Make sure the soil is wet and then let it slowly dry out. Put the plant in a shaded area for a few weeks.
    see more suggestions at http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/propa/msg1012163118052.html

    Reply
  66. Debbie Capell - April 20, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    It is April 21st , is it too late to plant my C.R. cuttings? Can I plant them in a full sun area or do they need some shade ?

    Hi Debbie
    Yes, you can plant them. Are they rooted cuttings?

    Reply
  67. Sue Diffenderfer - April 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    What does it mean when the top leaves curl up? They are still green just curled up.

    Hi Sue
    It could indicate a watering issue-either too much or not enough water.

    Reply
  68. rita rose - May 21, 2012 at 11:50 am

    Legend of the Confederate rose
    can anyone out there tell me of a saying about the confederate rose. My aunt whom is deceased now, Had a tree and she told me why the flower changed color. I cannot remember how it went.In the morning it was white, in the noon it was pink, in the evening It was red because you were dead. Does anyone know the saying? Thanks

    Hi Rita
    The flower starts to bloom white, then during the course of the day it will turn light pink, then dark pink. It usually takes 2 days and then the flower drops. It’s a beautiful but sad story. here’s the legend of the confederate rose. http://www.gardenstew.com/blog/e8170-2-the-legend-of-the-confederate-rose.html

    Reply
  69. Joy - July 14, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    We live in SC and have had Confederate Rose for many years. We always cut back the week of Valentine’s day. We have had a few blooms over the years but not like you would normally see. So far this year, we haven’t seen a bloom yet. Can you tell us what we might be doing wrong?

    Hi Joy
    Are you fertilizing around the plant?

    Reply
  71. Jo Ann Goins - October 22, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    white fly on Confederate rose
    I really like this information, so maybe you can help me with my problem. I live close to Atlanta Ga. and my confederate rose this year got all those white flies and I tried everything nothing seem to work and my leaves have turned black and and it was covered with buds, but only three or four opened and the flowers was not big like last year and the buds begin just to fall off. I sure would appreciate your help if you understand what I am trying to describe. Thank you Jo Ann

    Hi Jo Ann
    White fly is a difficult insect to get rid of. The weather has a lot to do with how well they thrive and they love Confederate rose. more info http://hortchat.com/info/white-fly. If all fails, you might try a systemic insecticide.

    Reply
  72. Lynne - October 29, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Hi, My mom gave me a Confederate rose, and it’s blooming for the first time.
    All the info I’ve seen on this plant says it starts off white and continues to change to dark pink through out the day. However mine started out dark pink and hasn’t changed any. Can this be normal? Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Megan - November 11, 2012 at 5:11 pm

      I planted two this year they are the same as yours only bloom dark pink, I am looking for the same answer. Do they change colors as they get older. If you know the answer please let me know.
      thanks megan

      Hi Megan
      Is it possible that you have a variety Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Rubrum’ (Malvaceae) which blooms dark pink/red flowers. It produces single flowers and does not change color.

      Reply
    2. Marion - November 22, 2012 at 6:41 am

      Propagate confederate rose tip
      I know this comes a kind of late, but a pretty foolproof way to propagate a Confederate Rose is to cut a green stem in Fall and barry it sideways about 3-4″ in the ground outdoors, then simply forget about it and in spring, it will put out new growth on both ends of that stem.

      Reply
  73. Barb - April 23, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    Late bloomer
    I have a confederate rose that blooms about a week before our first frost. Therefore I only have a fews days to enjoy them before the frost gets them. I live in zone 8. Is there something I can do to speed up the blooming process?

    Hi Barb
    I don’t know of any way to speed up blooming. Confederate rose normally bloom late summer to early fall. They bloom best in sunny areas of the yard.
    You can blame it on the weather. Growing condiditions such as excessive heat and drought can delay and reduce flowers. In addition excess fertilizer, not enough sun, improper pruning can delay bloom.

    Reply
  74. Brenda - August 30, 2013 at 7:10 am

    I have a confederate rose bush that I was given several years ago ,It get’s huge each year ,not knowing anything about it the place it is at is right beside my gardenia bush both are so large they are overtaking each other ,I live in NC where it get’s very hot and humid I trim the rose bush back each year and it get’s larger each time it comes back. My gardenia bush has gotten so large
    now what do i do about moving one of them , not knowing alot I am afraid whichever one i move will die and they both have lot’s of flowers when they bloom.Help

    Hi Brenda
    Wait until they are done blooming before trimming them. The best time to transplant your gardenia would be in spring when the soil warms up and before they start new growth. Before transplanting trim back by 1/3 of the plant. This will help control the move and stimulate new root growth. You may loose flower buds when trimming and transplanting.

    Reply
  75. allen hardin - September 24, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    I received several cuttings from my baby sister this spring . I potted them in 14 gallon pots ( maybe too big )and they are about 10 ‘ tall loaded wit unopened blooms . I’m hoping to see open blooms soon . I’ve been looking forward to seeing the colors change since I received the cuttings . n.c. between charlotte & Asheville

    Reply
  76. Tony - October 27, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Black leaves on confederate rose
    Some of the leaves on our Confederate rose have turned a black color. Could this be a fungus, and if so, what is the best remedy for it?

    Hi Tony
    Have you had cold temperatures lately? Cold temps can cause the leaves to turn black. It is also possible that it is sooty mold (a fungus) which usually indicates an insect problem such as scale, aphids, mealy bug or whitefly. They produce a sticky substance called honeydew which will lead to sooty mold.

    Reply
    1. Rob - December 31, 2013 at 11:16 am

      Sooty Mold treatment

      Use BAYER 3 in 1 and this will get rid of sooty mold caused by those flies. I mix oz per gallon of water and spray BEFORE it begins. It is also a systemic but I find spraying the foliage gets better results for me. This is also great for Japanese Beetles if you are bothered by them.
      Bayer Products (along with most others) have come under fire for using an agent that is believed to be causing the death of the bee. This mysterious death and the pattern of missing bees in our country is really disturbing. I only use this product once or twice and usually when I noticed the sooty mold is appearing. Crape Myrtles can get sooty mold also and this was the reason I used it .

      Reply
  77. Alice - April 28, 2014 at 10:06 am

    We got some cuttings that were rooted last spring of a confederate rose. They did extremely well. We cut off some branches in the fall to root. We put them in water and left them in our basement for several weeks. No sprouting and the water got to smelling very bad. Our bushes out in the yard are about 3-4 feet and they are not putting out any sprouts or leaves yet. We live in Alabama. Do you think we killed them when we pruned them? When we got the first cuttings to plant in March of 2013, we put them out with one leaf on the cuttings and they took off rapidly! I was so surprised how fast they grew and bloomed beautifully. Don’t know what is going on now? Can you tell me what might be wrong?

    Hi Alice
    I don’t think you killed the plant by taking cuttings. This past winter has been rough in all parts of the country and perhaps unusual freezing weather may have killed off the plant. To see if they still have some life in them, scratch the stem to see if there is any green under the bark. If so then they may be slow to sprout this year.

    Reply
  78. Joan - May 19, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    I have a confederate rose that is very tall but this year it is having trouble leafing out except for 1 main branch and around the bottom. I cut it back to about 8ft and picked off the bottom leaves. I gave it some epsom salts and superthrive hormones but it still wants to leaf only at the base. I checked again if the branches are alive and the wood is still yellow and has elasticity so I think the branches are alive. We had an especially cold winter but this is new for my confederate rose. Is there something I can do or do I have to cut it back all the way?

    Hi Joan
    The past winter has been hard on many plants. The growing buds may have been frozen and now the tree is trying to grow from the roots. The best thing you can do at this time is what you have been doing-fertilize and water. Give it some more time to leaf out. If at the end of summer you don’t see anything, then I would cut back the bare branches.

    Reply
  79. Meredith Upshaw - May 20, 2014 at 9:28 am

    Hi. I live north of Houston, TX and had a confederate rose in my last home and loved it. I recently acquired a new one about three feet tall but I’ve noticed recently there have been holes all throughout the leaves like something has been chewing through them. I haven’t noticed any aphids or bugs on the leaves. How do I treat this if I don’t know what’s causing it? I don’t want to lose this plant because it is one of my favorites. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Shirley Crowley - September 27, 2014 at 6:53 am

      This is the second year experience with confederate rose. Last year leaves began turning yellow and falling off, but more near the lower part of tree. We live north of Houston. It then bloomed profusely toward the end of Sept.
      After our harsh winter I thought perhaps I’d lost it. I trimmed off some tall bare sticks when it leafed out in the spring of this year. I will not trim it next year because it ultimately leafed out on bare branches.
      It is loaded with blooms now and will provide beautiful ruffled blooms until the first cold snap.
      I have fed it a 3 in one systemic, supplemented with miracle gro, seems to like that.
      Puzzled why all your leaves dropped. I have to agree that it loves sun.

      Reply
  80. Lynn - October 11, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    My friend just moved into a house with 2 very large Confederate Rose bushes that she plans to dig up and I want them. When would be the best time to move them. I live in SC. THANKS!!

    Hi Lynn
    Best time to move your Confederate rose is when they are dormant – late fall (Oct-Nov) or early spring.

    Reply
    1. Marsha - October 31, 2014 at 9:32 am

      I found your question when I was trying to find it myself. My great-aunt is 96, and she says the saying is: First day white, Second day red, Third day from my birth I’m dead.

      Reply
  81. Linda Gregory - June 6, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Our rose bush has been growing in the same place for years with beautiful blooms. This year after initial great growth the top leaves began to curl inward and the leaves at least the parts we can see are mottled with the veins standing out rather than flat. What might be the problem?

    Reply
  82. Jim Costigan - October 4, 2015 at 4:56 am

    I live in Central florida and have a large confederate rose all full
    of buds but dont seem to want to open…please advise

    Reply
    1. jtxl - May 26, 2017 at 10:17 am

      Mine always start blooming just about October 1st. I think blooming may have more to do with the suns position than anything else.

      Reply
    2. shotgunsusie - November 2, 2017 at 7:18 am

      Confederate Rose blooms in the fall. Best time to move it is early spring. You can actually cut back the stocks and put them in a bucket of water until they root and you can replant them other places.

      Reply
  84. Peggy Green - September 21, 2018 at 6:41 am

    I have a confederate rose it had a lot of leaves all over and now it has a lot of blooms and flowers at the top and lost most of the leaves on the lower part now is there something going wrong here?

    Reply

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