Botanical name: Hibiscus "Sweet Caroline."

Botanical name: Hibiscus "Sweet Caroline."
Attributes: A very floriferous, large-flowered hybrid of our native hardy hibiscuses (often called rose mallows). Sweet Caroline is a large perennial that reaches 4 to 6 feet with an equal spread. The flowers are produced abundantly, but individual flowers last only for a day. Flowers are followed by interesting seed pods that can last through the winter or be cut for dried arrangements.
Bloom color: Pink.
Bloom time: Late summer into fall.
Culture: Plant hardy hibiscus in moist to wet soil for best results (heavy clay soils is fine) -- they are native to wetlands. They do survive dry soil quite well, but to look their best they should be watered during dry spells. Flowering is best when they are planted in spring through summer; fall plantings should be heavily mulched so they will root in well for winter.
Landscaping tips: This big, bold perennial looks great as a specimen plant in the perennial border, water garden or in masses along a stream or lake. Good companion plants include bold ornamental grasses like Miscanthus grasses and cordgrass; other moisture-loving perennials like Louisiana and Siberian iris, New York ironweed and Autumn Sun Rudbeckia and shrubs like summersweet clethra, Virginia sweetspire and buttonbush.
Cost: Sweet Caroline Hardy Hibiscus is usually available in 1-gallon containers for about $12.
Source: Powell Gardens (www.powellgardens.org)