Some time ago, we went for a visit to a fantastic Austin nursery, Garden Seventeen. We were looking for native plants to add to our front and back yards in our old house. After the 2021 February snowpocalypse, a few plants did not make it and had to be replaced. We loved going to Garden Seventeen because of its friendly and knowledgeable staff. Unfortunately, they closed.
When we talked to one of the women there about a particular location by our front steps, she suggested we plant Brazilian Rock Roses. Hearing “Brazilian” made me decide on the spot I wanted those roses even before seeing them. To those who don’t know me, I was born and raised in Brazil.
Brazilian Rock Roses are also known as South American Rock Roses. Their botanical name is Pavonia braziliensis, according to Texas Smart Scape. This perennial rose likes sunlight and partial shade. That is precisely the location we had in mind in our front yard. It gets some mid-morning sun, but it’s mostly shaded in the afternoon (a large tree blocks the sun in the afternoon). This rose does not need a lot of water, either. That makes it a perfect plant for Central Texas weather. The flowers are around 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter.
These rose blooms tend to be white or light pink with a deep crimson center. It almost looks like it’s bleeding. The rose petals have a texture similar to crumpled paper. In the macro above, you can easily see that.
If you have seen a previous post I added here of a Halberd-Leaved Rose Mallow, you will notice some similarities between these two roses. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center says these roses are part of the plant family Malvaceae.
Like common Morning Glory flowers, Brazilian Rock Roses open their petals in the morning and have them closed at the end of the day. These flowers are favorites among butterflies and hummingbirds, and that crimson center is a magnet for those pollinators.
The beauty in the open roses is also present when they are closed. The last two photos show you macros of closed Brazilian Rock Roses. The small crimson streaks add gorgeous detail to this beautiful rose. To my eyes, the bulb of the rose resembles a radish.
For Cee’s FOTD.
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I. J. Khanewala
Is this a kind of hibiscus? The pistil and stamens resemble those of hibiscus species
Egidio Leitao
They are cousins. Both Hibiscus and Pavonia are genera in the plant family Malvaceae,
Toonsarah
I’d not heard of these flowers – they are beautiful!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful flower and beautiful images Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne.
Writing to Freedom
Lovely photos and flower Egidio. I see them around town but didn’t know their name.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brad. Happy New Year!
Writing to Freedom
Thanks!
Rebecca Cuningham
Thanks for the photos. Pretty flower. Happy new year!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Rebecca. Happy New Year!