Hibiscus moscheutos 'Blackberry Merlot' – 'Blackberry Merlot' Rose Mallow

'Blackberry Merlot' Rose Mallow brings a touch of drama and an exuberant tropical vibe to the garden. Its most spectacular appeal comes from the striking contrast between its rich, dark, almost black foliage and its impressively sized flowers. It offers a bold and colourful late-summer show, while being a robust and surprisingly hardy plant.

Characteristics

• Foliage: It develops deciduous foliage that provides a show all season. The leaves, deeply lobed like a maple's, emerge coppery in the spring then mature to an intense, velvety purple-black, especially in full sun.
• Flowering: From mid-summer until fall, it produces a succession of gigantic, dinner-plate-sized flowers (20-23 cm in diameter). Each very dark, velvety, wine-red flower lasts only a day, but the plant produces them constantly.
• Light: It demands full sun to develop its darkest foliage colour and for abundant flowering.
• Habit: It forms a large clump with a bushy, upright, and well-branched habit, similar to a shrub.
• Growth: Fast. It reaches a height and spread of about 1.2 to 1.5 m (4-5 feet).
• Soil: It thrives in rich, fertile soil that retains moisture well.
• Hardiness: Hardy to Zone 4. It is a perennial that emerges very late in the spring; patience is required, do not assume it is dead.
• Resistance: It demonstrates good resistance to deer.

Uses

• Types of Use: Its commanding presence makes it a perfect specimen to create a focal point. It is magnificent at the back of a perennial border or in a mass planting for a bold effect.
• Ornamental Features: The duo of nearly black foliage and immense red flowers creates a most spectacular contrast of colour and texture. It is the undisputed star of the late-summer garden.

Care

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. A mulch at its base is highly recommended to conserve moisture.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost in the spring to support its vigorous growth.
• Pruning: No pruning is required during the season. Cut the dead stems back to the ground in late fall or early spring.
• Planting: Plant it in the spring in a sunny location and in rich soil that does not dry out.
• Winter Protection: A good mulch of fallen leaves or straw applied after the ground freezes will help protect the crown for its first winter.