Turk's Cap 'Big Momma'
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Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii 'Big Momma'
Meet Big Momma, a beautiful hybrid of Malvaviscus species - Malvaviscus drummondii and Malvaviscus penduliflorus. The first features stunning, upward-facing flowers about 2 inches long and can brave the winters up to USDA Zone 7. In contrast, the second variety showcases delightful, drooping flowers that reach about 3 inches long and thrive even in USDA Zone 9. Malvaviscus is a charming genus of shrubby herbaceous hibiscus relatives, happily growing in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. This lovely hybrid is special because it combines the winter hardiness of the former with the larger, eye-catching flowers of the latter. Greg Grant from Texas first developed and introduced it into the gardening world in 2005.
Big Momma usually grows between 4 to 6 feet tall when basking in full sunlight. It delights gardeners with its striking, hibiscus-like, 5-petaled scarlet red flowers, each measuring around 2 3/4 inches long. These vibrant blooms typically put on a magnificent show from mid-summer all the way to the first frost. After their colorful display, the plants gracefully retreat to the ground, behaving like herbaceous perennials. The flower petals twist and swirl around the extended pistil and stamens, extending beyond the petal tips. This delightful shape gives rise to its common names: Turk's cap, inspired by the flower's unique form, and sleepy mallow, resembling a hibiscus bud that doesn't fully unfurl. These blooms are a treat for the eyes and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, creating a lively garden atmosphere. After flowering, the plant even produces edible, marble-sized red fruits.
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.
Pairs well with

