The Confederate Roses are blooming...

One of the great glories, for me, in the southern garden, is the Confederate Rose, Hibiscus mutabilis, also known as the cotton rosemallow. To my great delight when I moved in here 3 1/2 years ago there was an absolutely huge bush at the end of the driveway and as autumn comes and most of the flowers go by she is just starting to bloom, the flowers large and very soft looking, the petals like old fashioned crinoline skirts, perfect for a southern belle. I love, and plant, all forms of hibiscus, but this is surely the most romantic flower in the garden...