Rock Rose Brazilian

Pavonia brazziliensis

Characteristics

Culture

Native shrub-like perennial, Brazilian Rock Rose displays eye-catching 1½ inch wide hibiscus-like pink to rose colored flowers from summer to fall. Carefree and versatile; performs in enriched garden soils with regular irrigation to very dry, rocky, unimproved soils and drought. Deer resistant. Semi-evergreen, Rock Rose Brazilian adapts to a wide range of conditions, from very poor to enriched garden soils. Water regularly during first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Drought tolerant when established. There’s no need to shear to the ground in winter, but a light pruning in very early spring will encourage bushier, less leggy growth. If you have the time, lightly shearing during the growing season will also encourage more of the gorgeous little flowers.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Pavonia (Rock Rose) is a popular garden accent plant throughout Texas, even though it originates on dry, rocky woods or banks of South, Central or West Texas. Its popularity is no doubt due to its long bloom period and versatility, accepting full sun to half day shade, a variety of soils, and very dry to regularly irrigated conditions. This small, perennial shrub is woody at the base, herbaceous above, bearing light green, velvety, heart-shaped leaves and light pink or white miniature hibiscus-like flowers.  Plants can be rather open and straggly in appearance, but there is an abundance of flowers on this close relative to the hibiscus. Plant in full sunlight and in a well-drained soil. May be easily propagated by saved seed or softwood cuttings.

Problems

Leaf eating insects can sometime be a problem but are relatively easy to control.

Garden Uses

Border, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens.