Georgia Wildlife Federation

Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Guide to Native Plants of Georgia for Wildlife < Hibiscus laevis

Halberd Mallow
Hibiscus laevis

formerly H. militaris

The Halberd Mallow is wonderfully beautiful—more importantly, it is cold-hardy well into the northern US! It succeeds in temperatures where other Hibiscus species—especially nonnatives—do not. It adds a touch of tropical to the temperate landscape with massive white to light pink flowers. Each blossom can be nearly half a foot in diameter, and are borne profusely. Each lasts just a single day, during which they attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and the human eye. They are admirable both up close and from afar, and can be cut for temporary decorations. Halberd Mallow does, however, require high levels of moisture. When sited properly, it provides great delight during most of the summer and fall.

Good companion plants include Lizard’s Tail, Pickerelweed, Arrowhead, Stoke’s Aster, Swamp Sunflower, Cardinal Flower, Wild Ageratum, Redroot, Pineland Hibiscus, Rose Mallow, and Scarlet Hibiscus. It also pairs well with Titi, Longleaf Pine, and Atlantic White Cedar. To enhance the tropical feel, plant with Cannas or cold-hardy native palms like the Sabal Palmetto, Dwarf Palmetto, Needle Palm, or Saw Palmetto.

Family: Malvaceae (Mallow)

Description: A large single or multi-stemmed herbaceous perennial. Stems are round and hairless. Leaves are alternate, 6” long and 4” wide, with 3-5 pointed lobes and serrated margins. Middle lobes are larger, leading to a similar shape to medieval halberd points, or maple leaves. Leaves are hairless, with long, slender petioles. Flowers are borne both solitarily and clustered, and are 5” in diameter with 5 rounded petals and prominently protruding reproductive parts. Petals are fluted, white to light pink, with a purplish throat. Flowers last one day and occur from summer to early fall. Seeds are large, silky, usually flat-sided and kidney-shaped, and float.

Size: 3-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide

Habit: A single or multi-stemmed herbaceous perennial

Light: Full sun to partial sun

Planting and Care: Halberd Mallow prefers moist soil and tolerates flooding. Established plants will survive in drier, “normal” soils without supplemental irrigation. However, flowering will be compromised without access to abundant supplies of water. Cut plants down in fall after they die back.

Ornamental Value: The primary asset of Halberd Mallow is the huge white-pink flowers, which lend a tropical feeling to landscapes. It is eye-catching up close or from long distances. It also attracts hummingbirds, which in themselves are a delight to have.

Landscape Use: Use Halberd Mallow as an integral component of the hummingbird garden, or to enhance the tropical appeal of the landscape. It works well with palms near pools for recreational enjoyment, or near ponds, streams, or in wet spots. Group plantings of 3 or more work better than single specimens.

Wildlife Benefits: The flowers of Halberd Mallow provide large quantities of nectar to hummingbirds like the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. Planting more than one along with Cardinal Flower, Beebalms, Trumpet Creeper, and Crossvine (latter two preferring drier sites near trees) nearby will ensure that hummers nest nearby. The blooms also attract butterflies and Emphorine bees like the Mallow Bee. The leaves, flower buds, and seeds are food sources for the caterpillars of the Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady, and Checkered Skipper butterflies. The larvae of the Pearly Wood Nymph moth also feed upon the foliage. Deer and livestock will browse the non-toxic foliage preferentially over nonnative Hibiscus species.

Native Habitat: Native to eastern North America from Florida west to Texas, north through the Midwest to Ontario, and east to New England. Favored habitats include marshes, ditches, wet roadsides, swamps, pocosins, pine savannahs, and coastal locations.