Rose of Sharon

The Hibiscus syriacus can grow to twelve feet tall, spreading its branches up to six feet across. Some varieties grow only to five or six feet.

The beautiful flowers may be single or double blooms, in white, red, lavender, mauve or blue, and resemble a hibiscus flower with its distinctive stamen.

Plant Characteristics

Hibiscus syriacus bush prefers well-drained soil in an area that receives full sun.

It is a late bloomer, not producing leaves until later in the season than most plants.

It flowers late in summer, offering a burst of color after many other shrubs have stopped blooming. It is drought-tolerant and loves the heat.

The plant is deciduous in most regions, dropping leaves in fall and dying back in winter, then coming back strong the following season.

A layer of mulch or leaves helps the bush overwinter in the ground. In warmer climates, it may remain evergreen.

It attracts both hummingbirds and bees. It is susceptible to damage from heavy winds, which can bend and permanently damage the stems.

Fertilize the bush only through July in cold climates. Later fertilizing will encourage too much soft, new growth that can be damaged by cold temperatures.

Pruning

The plant produces multiple stems. To create a Rose of Sharon tree, prune heavily to have one main trunk.

To create a compact Rose of Sharon bush form, prune heavily to create the shape during the first two years.

Heavy pruning should be done in late winter to early spring to remove winter damage and encourage new growth.

The season's blooms appear on each year's new wood. During the growing and blooming season, the plant can be trimmed lightly to maintain shape.

The plant spreads prolifically, sending underground shoots great distances from the parent plant.

Identify these early in the spring and pull them before they take hold to stop the plant from becoming invasive in your garden.

Because the Hibiscus syriacus can be trained to create a shrub or tree shape, it is a popular addition to the landscape.

Many people, because of its ability to spread prolifically in the garden, consider Hibiscus syriacus a weed.

However, with good maintenance and control, this shrub can add stately beauty to the garden.

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