Q: I found this in my neighbor’s yard. It grows about waist height – can you tell me what it is? My friend says it is a hibiscus but it doesn’t look like the leaf of any hibiscus I know.

A: I am using your photo, which helped me tremendously in identifying this plant. I thought it might be a swamp mallow but I believe it is most likely a Red-leafed hibiscus – so your friend is correct. This hibiscus may be one of the common varieties called ‘Panama Red’, ‘Panama Bronze’ or ‘Red Shield’. It is a short lived perennial which blooms from the spring through the fall. It grows well in full sun to partial shade in cold hardiness zones 8-11. It does not tolerate long dry spells so be prepared to apply some occasional irrigation. It only reaches heights up to 4 feet but it spreads up to 6 feet. The color of the flowers range from rose to pink to cream but the real reason for getting this plant is the foliage. The color of the leaves ranges from burgundy to a shiny, bronze. The leaves are deeply lobed and the edges are serrated. Flower blooming may be somewhat sporadic. It will die back when the cold temperatures arrive but it should return for a few years in the spring.

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