Turk's Cap
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Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
Also known as Turk's Cap, Drummond's Turk's Cap, Drummond Turk's Cap, Wax Mallow, Drummond's Wax Mallow, Drummond Wax Mallow, Red Mallow, Texas Mallow, Mexican Apple, Sleeping Hibiscus, Bleeding Hearts, Manzanita
This spreading shrub can grow up to 2-3 feet tall and sometimes as high as 9 feet. Its bright-red, pendant, hibiscus-like flowers never fully open. Their petals overlap to form a loose tube, with the staminal column protruding. This resembles the flower of a Turkish turban, which is why it is commonly known as Turk's Cap. It is instrumental in shady situations.
The plant is named after Thomas Drummond, a Scottish naturalist born in the late 18th century. In 1830, he traveled to America to collect specimens from the western and southern United States. He spent 21 months working the area between Galveston Island and the Edwards Plateau, collecting specimens from the Brazos, Colorado, and Guadalupe rivers. His collections were the first extensively distributed among museums and scientific institutions worldwide. He collected 750 plant species and 150 bird specimens. Unfortunately, he died in Havana, Cuba, in 1835 while making a collecting tour of the island.
Turk's Cap is drought-tolerant and prefers partially shady sites. It can adapt to and thrive in many different sites, including full sun and heavy soil, although too much sun can cause its leaves to become rougher, more minor, darker, and puckered.
Nectar Source Plant: Cloudless Giant Sulfur (Phoebis sennae), Zebra Swallowtail ( Eurytides marcellus)
Height: 2’-5’
Spread: 2’-5’
Bloom: May-November
Light: Partial Sun, Shade
Water: Medium
Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10
Origin: Texas
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
