'Kopper King' is a compact, vigorous, sturdy, rounded, somewhat shrubby, woody-based rose mallow cultivar which typically grows to 3-4' tall. Features copper-red foliage and dinner plate-sized, 5-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers (10-12" diameter) which are among the largest flowers produced by any perennial which is hardy to the St. Louis area. Flowers are light pink with red veining and a bright red central eye. Each flower has a prominent and showy pale yellow tubular central staminal column. Individual flowers last only one day, but one or more flowers usually open each day, in succession, over a long mid-summer to early fall bloom period. Lobed, maple-like leaves are coppery red. Commonly called rose mallow. This hybrid is a recent introduction from the Fleming Brothers of Lincoln, Nebraska who have produced several rose mallow hybrids (see also Z140, Z160 and Z170) which are primarily crosses involving varieties of H. moscheutos and H. coccineus. Kemper Center for Home Gardening

This exciting hybrid from Nebraska's famous Fleming brothers represents the culmination of 50 years of breeding. H. 'Kopper King' has stunning, dark purple foliage on a stocky 4' tall clump. From midsummer until early fall, the clumps are topped with giant 1' wide, light pink flowers with a dark red eye and dramatic red veining. Designers should have a ball with this new mallow. For greatest foliage coloration, full sun exposure is best along with slightly moist soil. Plant Delights

Unlike any other flower in the garden, hardy hibiscus offer us flowers that are both huge and delicate, as if they were fashioned from crepe paper.The flowers range from a petite 3 or 4 inches across to the proverbial dinner plate, 8 to 12 inches in diameter! In the center of each impressive flower you'll find a prominent pistil and stamen structure that adds to their beauty.

For years the only hardy hibiscus colors available were white, pink and red. Thanks to plant collectors and breeders, you can now select some incredible color variations that can be poetically described as hot pink, raspberry, mauve, dusty rose and plum. The blooms of many varieties have a dark red center and a few have a ruffled edge. Others are bicolored or have attractive dark veins. While each bloom only lasts one day, hardy hibiscus are prolific, sometimes producing more than a hundred blooms in a season.

Traditionally, hardy hibiscus were large, rangy plants with large, rounded, medium-green leaves. Plant size now varies greatly, so be sure to take that into consideration when selecting a hardy hibiscus. Many of the new varieties offer smaller, lobed leaves and more compact plant habits.There are even a few with dark, reddish foliage.

As wonderful as they are, hardy hibiscus have one very frustrating quirk: they tend to be the very last plant to reappear in spring. In fact, many gardeners give up on them and dig them up. But it isn't uncommon at all for hardy hibiscus to wait until late May or early June (when the soil temperature approaches 70 º) to make their yearly debut. Looking on the bright side, this late habit makes them great companion plants for spring-blooming bulbs. http://www.bachmans.com/tipsheets/Perennials/HardyHibiscus.cfm