Confederate Rose 'Single Flower': Color-Changing Hardy Hibiscus

The Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) is a legendary, cold-hardy hibiscus famous for its flowers that change color dramatically over a single day. The 'Single Flower' form, registered in 1999, showcases this magic in its simplest, most elegant state.

Daily Color Transformation

Flowers open in the morning as pure white, gradually turn pink by midday, and deepen to a rich rose-red by evening before falling. Each bloom lasts just one day, but the succession is continuous from late summer into fall. The single flowers are 4-6 inches across with five petals. This large, deciduous shrub or small tree can reach 10-15 feet in warm climates, but dies back to the ground in colder zones (hardy to Zone 7/8), regrowing vigorously each spring.

Plant Profile

Growing the Confederate Rose

Plant in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil. It appreciates regular water during establishment. In Zone 7 and colder, mulch heavily in winter. Prune in late winter. The color change is a fascinating phenomenon to observe daily. A Southern garden classic.