Meet the Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon | Hibiscus syriacus

How do you know it’s me?:

• I am a deciduous shrub or small tree with upright branches

• My leaves are alternate and toothed. I can have leaves of different shapes on the same plant. Sometimes they are more of a pointed oval shaped, and other times they are larger and three-lobed (like a chicken’s foot).

• My flowers are delicate and crepe-like, 2”-4” in size, often with darker color near the interior. I have wide petals (usually 5).

• The center pistil of my flowers is usually oblong and textured (and often dusted with pollen).

• The fruit left behind after my flowers are green-to-brown capsules, about 3/4”-1” in size.

• My smooth bark is a mottled brown and grey.

How big do I grow?: 8’-12’ height, 6’-10’ spread.

Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun to part shade.

Where I prefer to put my roots: I prefer moist, well-drained soils, but am fairly adaptable to any soils that aren’t extremely wet or too dry.

Hardiness: Zone 5-9

Original home: I am native to China and India.

Colors: My blooms are either blue, purple, white, pink, or red…or sometimes two-toned!

When I bloom: Summer to late fall, though some cultivars bloom slightly earlier.

Wildlife friends: My bold flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and specialized bees.

Flora Fun Facts: South Korea has claimed me as the national flower, giving me the name “mugunghwa,” meaning immortal or eternal flower.

More Info: The Rose of Sharon brings tropical character to any yard, even in many northern US states. The bold, colorful flowers are loved for this reason, attracting the attention of people and pollinators alike.

• A member of the Malvaceae (Mallow) family.

• It has long been used (especially in Chinese medicine) to treat a variety of ailments such as skin wounds or stomach issues.

• This plant is considered to be a “hardy hibiscus,” and is closely related to the more familiar perennial hibiscus plant.

• Similar to other hibiscus plants, the “hardy hibiscus” is known to be a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C.

• Rose of Sharon makes a great specimen tree, pollinator garden plant, or even a unique hedge. It responds well to pruning during late winter or early spring (while still dormant) to encourage increased flowering.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: This plant has been listed as invasive in some eastern US states, including Virginia and Kentucky.