Malvaviscus arboreus,
or Turks Cap is one of those old garden plants that keeps hanging
around. This is probably because it is so durable. For the
most part Malvaviscus arboreus is a large green shrub. The name is
relevant to the shape of the flower, since the species hales from Mexico
through Brazil. The Turk's Cap can grow to 12 feet tall and wide in
a lightly shaded to mostly sunny location. While the Turk's cap
might like some summer water it will survive in a coastal garden with
none. Malvaviscus arboreus is hardy into the low 20's with a little
overhead protection from surrounding trees. I like the soft tropical
look that can be achieved with this plant but it is a bit of a space
hog. And while you can trim the Turk's Cap back with great abandon,
if you are planting for a small garden this might be a little too
rambunctious a plant. The long garden history of Malvaviscus
arboreus has
allowed it to acquire quite a few common names including, Sleepy Hibiscus,
Wax Mallow, Sleeping Mallow. Malvaviscus arboreus is another great
plant for the Hummingbird
garden
High resolution images of
Malvaviscus arboreus, Turk's Cap are available.
