Hibiscus 'Mars Madness' - ROSEMALLOW 'MARS MADNESS'

Large 6-8" magenta red flowers are flat, with small darker red halo, overlapping petals and deeply impressed veins.

Foliage is dark olive green leaves with copper highlights, the newest leaves emerging coppery purple.

Flowers are produced from the top to the bottom of the plant (unlike some older cultivars that bloom on the top only).

Large perennial with bold structure, reminding more of a exotic shrub. Highlight of a sunny garden.

Blooming Time: blooms later than other cultivars,from mid to early fall
Size: 4-4.5' tall x 6-6.5' wide
USDA Zones: 4 to 9
Culture: full sun to part sun are the best (tolerates half shade), very adaptable to variety of soils, but the best results (size, blooming)are in moderately fertile to loamy soil. Adapts to most pH.
Moisture Needs: average (medium) to medium-moist
Origin: hybridized by Walters Gardens (Zeeland, MI), patented under PP27838 and introduced in April 4th of 2017. 'Mars Madness' originates as a single seedling selection from a cross between Hibiscus ‘Crown Jewels’ (female parent) times Hibiscus ‘Midnight Marvel’ (male pollen parent). Both parents have a complex mixture of species in them, most likely including native Hibiscus moscheutos and Hibiscus coccineus.
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: no / yes- bee friendly
Attracts Hummingbirds: yes
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot

Plant combinations: This plant has very bold structure, so it's the best to combine it with more delicate looking plants with smaller leaves, smaller flowers and also more upright growth. So with plants that won't compete with the "royal look" and will support it.

It can be also planted as a solitaire plant or mixed with true woody shrubs. Due to it's adaptability ("elasticity") can be combined with majority of the common plants - those that grow well in average sunny bed and also with plants that require more moisture.

To point out the best visual companions, lets mention at least - Asclepias incarnata, Helianthus angustifolius and hybrids,  Iris (I. sibirica, I. x lousiana, I. versicolor, I. ensata, I. pseudata, I. virginica), Lobelia, Lysimachia, Mimulus, , Persicaria amplexicaulis, Phlox paniculata (with smaller flowers), Phlox maculata, Physostegia, Sanquisorba, Thalictrum, Verbena bonariensis, Veronicastrum and grasses and sedges - Carex, Andropogon gerardii and cultivars, Calamagrostis, Chasmantium, Deschmapsia, Panicum, Pennisetum and Miscanthus (where these two are not invasive).

Can be also used with mounding plants like Amsonia, Baptisia,  Chelone, Hemerocallis (better with smaller flowers) or with lower growing or groundcovering plants (Alchemilla, hardy Geraniums,etc.)

Picture copyright: Walters Gardens