Texas Rock Rose

Pavonia lasiopetala

Characteristics

Culture

Rock Rose Texas, a Texas Native, is a shrub-like perennial displays eye-catching 1 ½ 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. Fruit a 5-lobed capsule with remnants of the flower at its base, separating into 5 units at maturity.  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. May be sheared periodically to encourage a dense, compact shape and prolific flowering. Prune hard each spring.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Pavonia 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 deep rose pink miniature hibiscus-like flowers which open in the morning and close up by early afternoon in our highest heat. Its naturally loose, open-branching form may be kept more compact by frequent pruning, which promotes new growth and more flowers. Pavonia is reputed to be short-lived: 3 to 6 years, but self-sows readily or may be easily propagated by saved seed or softwood cuttings.

Problems

Mildew is unavoidable – sometimes more sun seems to make it go away, sometimes not.

Garden Uses

Border, mass planting, wildlife garden.