Hibiscus moscheutos Fujin - Swamp Rose Mallow

The Hibiscus moscheutos Fujin, with its well-branched compact habit and long summer flowering, is an excellent variety of marsh hibiscus for terrace and balcony decoration.  This beautiful perennial plant thrives in damp soil and blooms until late summer, displaying its beautiful slightly crumpled cup-shaped flowers delicately edged in pale pink on a white background, with a speckling of rose-violet at the throat. It can be planted in large pots kept very moist throughout the growing season. It also makes a decorative addition to the edge of a pond. 

The Hibiscus moscheutos, also known as Hibiscus palustris, is an herbaceous plant with a woody base from the mallow family, related to hollyhocks and rose mallows. It is native to the marshes of the southern United States, where it can reach heights of up to 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches). In our climate, this marsh mallow produces upright stems each year, emerging quite late in spring, forming a bushy, spreading shrub. Horticulturists have taken advantage of this remarkable botanical species and, through cross-breeding with other species, have developed numerous very interesting cultivars that are less challenging to grow, displaying flowers in various colours and increased floribundity.

The 'Fujin' hybrid variety was recently selected in Japan for its particularly compact habit. The plant forms a beautiful bushy and well-branched shrub that will quickly reach approximately 80 cm (31.5 in) in all directions in a single season. At 10 years old, this hibiscus should reach a height and width of about 1 metre (3 feet 4 inches). This cultivar produces a quantity of single flowers, 10-12 cm (3.9-4.7 in) wide, with slightly crumpled petals. The flower, white with pale pink edges, shows a magenta rose-spotted throat and a column of white stamens and pistils. They are short-lived but more flowers are formed consistently from July to September-October if the plant is pruned in August. The stems are green and fuzzy. The abundant leaves are divided into pointed lobes, with a bright green colour that gives the foliage a very ornamental appearance throughout the growing season.

Marsh hibiscus plants are truly spectacular and have a polarising effect on people. Some dislike their immense flowers, finding them difficult to integrate into a natural setting. Others adore them for the same reason and consider them a perfect fit in a contemporary-style garden or a small exotic scene carefully organised around a small terrace pond. Though the plant is hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F) when the base is dry in winter, it may suffer in cooler and mountainous areas. All marsh hibiscus plants add another dimension to waterlogged flower beds or pond edges, especially when accompanied by cannas, Ethiopian arums, or papyrus. This 'Fujin' selection, compact and covered in slightly smaller flowers, is perfect for flower enthusiasts who lack a garden and want to bring a touch of the tropics to their balconies. It can change everything and make your balcony look more beautiful and lively.