Turk's Cap 'Big Momma'
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Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii 'Big Momma'
Big Momma is a hybrid of two Malvaviscus species - Malvaviscus drummondii and Malvaviscus penduliflorus. The former has upward-facing 2-inch long flowers and is winter hardy up to USDA Zone 7, while the latter has drooping 3-inch long flowers and is winter hardy up to USDA Zone 9. Malvaviscus is a genus of shrubby herbaceous hibiscus relatives native to the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. This hybrid combines the former's winter hardiness with the latter's larger flowers. Greg Grant from Texas developed and introduced it into commerce in 2005.
Big Momma typically grows to a height of 4-6 feet when grown in full sunlight. It produces showy, hibiscus-like, 5-petaled scarlet red flowers around 2 3/4 inches long. These flowers usually bloom in abundance from mid-summer to first frost. After that, the plants die to the ground, behaving like herbaceous perennials. The flower petals twist and swirl around the extended pistil and stamens, which protrude beyond the petal tips. This gives rise to the common names of Turk's cap (flower shape) and sleepy mallow (resembling a hibiscus bud that doesn't completely open). The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. After flowering, the plant produces marble-sized red fruits that are edible.
Nectar Source Plant: Cloudless Giant Sulfur (Phoebis sennae), Zebra Swallowtail ( Eurytides marcellus)
Height: 4'-6'
Spread: 4'-6'
Bloom: July-October
Light: Full Sun, Part 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.
