Halberd-Leaved Rose-Mallow

— You cannot miss these scarlet hibiscus flowers as you enter the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. There is a large bush right by the well in the center of the entrance next to the restrooms and gift shop. The Halberd-leaved Rose-mallow is also known as Scarlet Rose Mallow. It is easy to see why one of its common names has the word scarlet in it. The bush can grow to about 6 feet tall with blossoms of approximately 3 inches long. In addition to white, you can also find these flowers in pink. However, the white blossoms with maroon centers are the most striking. One interesting aspect of these flowers, I learned, is that they are open during the day and close tightly at night. This perennial bush is a pollinator favorite and is also heat tolerant.