Texas Rose Mallow

Common Names

Wright's Pavonia, Rock Rose, Rose Pavonia, Rose Mallow, Pavonia, Texas Rock Rose, Texas Swampmallow

Summary

Pavonia lasiopetala, commonly Rock Rose or Wright pavonia, is a Texas native shrub from Texas and northern Mexico that grows as a rounded woody plant about 2–4 ft tall and wide. It features velvety heart-shaped leaves and pink to rose-colored hibiscus-like flowers with a yellow central column that open in the morning, blooming from spring through fall; it thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils, is drought-tolerant once established, and attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and moths.

Hardy in USDA zones 7b through 11, it is used in wildlife-friendly plantings and seed mixtures for ranges and pastures; maintenance is low and includes annual pruning to encourage bushiness, with mildew possible in some conditions, though more sun can reduce mildew; it can be propagated by seeds or softwood cuttings, and seeds self-sow readily in suitable conditions.

Lifecycle

Perennial, Annual

Height

2-4 feet

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soils, ideally sandy to medium-textured

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

6.5-6.5

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Dark green on the upper surface with lighter green underneath; overall green with light to medium-dark green variations; slightly discolorous.

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other pollinators, and birds