If you take a drive throughout the city this time of year, you’re likely to spot Rose of Sharon blooms peeking through fences or greeting you in garden beds. Evoking the same tropical feel of the beloved Hibiscus, the Rose of Sharon or botanically named Hibiscus syriacus, flowers can add bold visual interest to any garden.
A mid to late Summer bloomer, Rose of Sharon is considered an easy to care for perennial, loved for its large showy flowers that can be flat or frilly attractive to birds, butterflies, and all kinds of pollinators.
A member of the mallow family and a relative of tropical hibiscus, you may also know it as shrub althea or althea tree. Deciding if you have space for a lovely Rose of Sharon in your garden? They’re happiest in the morning sun with an offering of some protection from the intense afternoon heat.
We always tend to get the question, are Hibiscus the same as Rose of Sharon?
After doing a little research ourselves, Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a bit of a hardier plant when it comes to cold temperatures, plus they grow to be a lot taller and more oval in comparison. The flowering is different in that Rose-of-Sharon flowers develop singly or in pairs, rising from the bases of leaves anywhere on sun-exposed branches. Whereas Hibiscus blossoms grow from twig and branch tips.
Care & Maintenance for Rose of Sharon:
- Light: Full Sun
- Water: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep, healthy roots. Rose of Sharon is drought-tolerant once established.
- Soil: Rich well-draining slightly acidic soil
- Fertilizer: Fertilize in early spring by applying a granular rose fertilizer according to the label. Reapply each spring.
- Growth: 10′ Tall/8′ Wide
- Bloom: Mid – Late Summer
- Type: Heat-love deciduous shrub
- Zones: 6-9
