A Rose is a Rose Except When It's Not

"Confederate Rose"

Here in the Puna District on the Big Island, some people do seem to have success with certain kinds of roses. I never did when we lived in Eureka (the green county of Humboldt) on the chilly, grey coastline of the Pacific, so I never got very attached to the idea of having roses. Here, where the average rainfall is 140 inches annually I’m not much inclined to even try.

Phil with last night's and this morning's "rose" 

That being said, who wouldn't want a flower like this? It is called a “Confederate Rose” and our first ones are blooming right now. Like my Bat Flower, I got small starts from a friend and cared for them tenderly in the greenhouse for over two years. This is the first time they have bloomed. 

Native to China, "Confederate Rose" obviously isn't a rose, but a species of hibiscus (Hibiscus mutabilis).

Confederate Rose Quilt, 1850. Made by Lucy Jane

 Fowlkes Nunnelee and daughters

According to legend, it gets its name from the flowers soaking up the blood spilled on Confederate battlefields. It is widely thought that ladies gave these flowers to Confederate soldiers returning home from the war.

Although there are many forms, with either single or double flowers, the classic version looks like this. Showy blooms, 4 to 6 inches wide, appear in fall. They open white, fade to pink during the day and finally end up bright pink or red. You'll often see all three colors on the same plant.

(Some info from southernliving.com)