Things Aren't Always As They Seem

You remember all those funny “why” questions? Why isn't 11 pronounced onety one? Why do you park in a driveway and drive on a parkway? Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites? Why do croutons come in airtight packages when they are just stale bread? Why are boxing rings square? Why is it called a Confederate Rose when it is neither Confederate nor a Rose? Maybe it is a stretch on the last one . . . . 

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

One of the South’s most beloved plants, the Confederate Rose, is actually a native of China and it belongs to the Hibiscus family. The botanical name for this blooming beauty is Hibiscus mutabilis. So how did this plant acquire its name? Legend is that a wounded Confederate soldier spilled blood at the foot of the plant and the flowers soaked it up. The flowers have the remarkable ability to bloom pure white and the next day turn to pink. . .hence the romantic legend.

The blooms (are often mistaken for peonies which only bloom in the spring) can be single or double and also bloom pink or red. By the way, how do you pronounce peony? Is it pee-oh-knee or pee-uh-knee? I digress.

Peony

Confederate Rose

The Confederate Rose is difficult to find in nurseries and is now generally a pass-along plant. You can start it from seed but the easiest way is to find someone to give you a stem cutting and root it in water. It likes full to part sun and fertile soil. It blooms in the fall and comes back in our area from the roots. It will grow into a woody shrub or small tree.

The most popular plant is the Confederate Rose called Plena. The big double blossoms open white, change to pink the next day and end up red before falling. Often, you will see all three colors on the same plant.

If you are a member of Holly Gardeners here at Holly Lake Ranch, you are fortunate to have several folks that will give you a cutting in the fall. You don’t even have to ask. . pass-along plants are brought to meetings and are free!

Now maybe someone can tell me why the cereal is called Grape Nuts when it is neither grapes nor nuts? 

Ann Reynolds