WILDFLOWER of the YEAR: ROCK ROSE

Rock on, rock rose!

With hot pink petals and a bright yellow center, rock rose (Pavonia lasiopetala) looks like a real live wire — but don’t be fooled by appearances. This native stunner is actually one mellow mallow. Widely available at commercial nurseries, it’s easy to grow, adaptable to various light conditions and a big fan of our summer heat. All that, combined with its remarkably long bloom time (generally April – November) and ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, inspired us to declare rock rose our 2024 Wildflower of the Year! ​​

Native Mallow Species

There are 274 mallow species native to North America, including rock rose. Browse them all on our database, where you can sort by state, bloom time, leaf arrangement and more.

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A close-up of the rock rose flower in bloom against a blurry green background.

Rock Rose, Pavonia lasiopetala

 

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