Rock Rose

Pavonia is a popular garden accent plant throughout Texas, even though it originates on dry, rocky woods or South, Central, or West Texas banks. Its popularity is undoubtedly due to its long bloom period and versatility, accepting full sun to half-day shade, a variety of soils, and very dry to regularly irrigated conditions. This small, perennial shrub is woody at the base, herbaceous above, bearing light green, velvety, heart-shaped leaves and deep rose-pink miniature hibiscus-like flowers open in the morning and close up by early afternoon in our highest heat. 

Pavonia is naturally loose, but the open-branching form may be kept more compact by frequent pruning, promoting new growth and more flowers. It is reputed to be short-lived: 3 to 6 years, but it self-sows readily or may be easily propagated by saved seed or softwood cuttings.