Name that flower (sorry, no pic!)

16 years ago

I got stuck in maddening traffic on the way home last night. Since I wasn't moving, I noticed a plant I had never noticed before, even though I travel that road home every weekday. I've never seen this flower before. They were big (at least as big as my hand, probably bigger) bright pink floppy, flat flowers on a plant approx. 4 feet high, growing between the sidewalk and road. Just one single plant.

I forgot about it until I saw a picture of morning glories on the picture of the day post. They were a similar shape but they look much smaller. Could this be a variety? I know little about flowers.

I'll have to look for this plant again tonight even though I may be smart to take another route. Who paves a main artery out of the city during rush hour?????

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Comments (15)

jannie
16 years ago
Big pink flowers sonds like Rose of Sharon. Can anyone find a photo? They grow like weeds in New york, I've seen them near many roads. Also have a yard full of them.
nicole__
16 years ago
Maybe a Lord Baltimore mallow?
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paula_pa
Original Author
16 years ago
I've seen Rose of Sharon before and I don't recall the flowers being this large, or maybe I've never seen one in full bloom?? That does look like the right shape.
paula_pa
Original Author
16 years ago
Nicole,

You posted while I was Googling and posting and you hit the nail on the head. This link describes them as 'dinner plate' size which seems about right.

Strange that I've never noticed these anywhere before and they were so striking.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hibiscus
nicole__
16 years ago
I know....I just found out about them about 10 years ago. They bloom in Colorado in September. The flowers are HUGE!!!! I rarely see them.....don't know why....??? Maybe RONF will chime in.....with his horticulture major...:0)
sue_va
16 years ago
But isn't Rose of Sharon a bush, not a single plant? Ours were.

Sue
kacram
16 years ago
what about a poppy?
nicole__
16 years ago
It's a hibiscus....MALLOW. Not the same thing. They die to the ground every year, break dormancy late...then bloom these saucer size blooms. Look up "LORD BALTIMORE". MOSCHEUTOS hibicus. It's NOT a tree rose of sharon......
nicole__
16 years ago
Ok....here's a link.....http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/115/index.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: 10
paula_pa
Original Author
16 years ago
I drove by it again this afternoon and the flower petals were drooping and it was totally unremarkable. I just happened to see it at just the right moment yesterday I guess. That explains why I never noticed it before.
pump_toad
16 years ago
It looks like a hibiscus to me. I have two plants and the pink one is blooming now and my red one is just ready to bloom. The reason it looked droopy it probably needed water as they seem to need alot of it. The flowers are beautiful but the plant does need staking.
Lois
jemdandy
16 years ago
Hollyhock?
Linda Wayman
16 years ago
That is a hardy hibiscus. You are right, when the bloom is finished it is very unremarkable, but thankfully most bushes have dozens of buds ready to open the next day. Here's a white one and a red one planted side by side. The picture was taken last year. We've had such a hot, humid summer that I haven't been outside much to take many pictures this year.
nicole__
16 years ago
mscsippy......yes, that's the right leaf and the bloom size can vary up to 10" easy! Yours are Beautiful!!!! TFS~~~
paula_pa
Original Author
16 years ago
I saw another one just a couple of blocks from house just now. It was blooming and the flowers were big, not quite as large as the one I saw in the city, so not as mind-blowing but still gorgeous. I'll probably notice them everywhere now.