Alphabetical Plant Listing

Rose of Sharon: How to Grow and Care with Success

Hibiscus syriacus, Syrian hibiscus, Althea, Shrub Althea


What is Rose of Sharon?

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a deciduous flowering shrub that is native to Asia. It is a member of the hibiscus family and is also known as Syrian hibiscus or shrub althea.

Appearance: It is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 meters) tall and 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters) wide.

Flowers: The plant produces large, showy flowers that are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in diameter. The flowers come in a range of colors, including white, pink, purple, blue, and red, with a distinctive central stamen.

Foliage: The leaves are green and heart-shaped, with a serrated edge.

Hardiness: Rose of Sharon is usually hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and can withstand cold winter temperatures as low as -20°F (-28.9°C). In areas subjected to harsh winters and snow, it will die back to the ground in winter, coming back in the spring.

Uses: Rose of Sharon is a popular landscaping plant due to its beautiful flowers and low maintenance requirements. It can be used as a hedge, screen, or accent plant.

Deer: Rose of Sharon is generally considered to be deer-resistant. However, it's important to note that no plant is completely deer-proof, and deer may occasionally browse on it if other food sources are scarce.

Folklore: In some cultures, Rose of Sharon is considered a symbol of fertility, love, and abundance. In the Bible, it is mentioned as a symbol of beauty and perfection.

Why should I Grow a Rose of Sharon?

There are several reasons why you may want to consider growing this shrub:

Attractive flowers: It produces large, showy flowers with a unique funnel shape and a prominent central stamen, making them a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape.

Low maintenance: It is a relatively low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow. It can tolerate drought and heat and is generally resistant to pests and diseases.

Long blooming season: It blooms from mid-summer to early fall, producing hundreds of flowers during this time. This makes it a great choice for adding color and interest to your garden during the late summer and early fall months.

Attracts pollinators: The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, which attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This can help support these important species and contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Versatility: It can be grown as a shrub, tree, or hedge, making it a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of landscaping applications.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Hibiscus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Hibiscus Great Plant Combination Ideas with Hibiscus Guides with Hibiscus

Natali9ka, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Hibiscus
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
Compare All Hibiscus Great Plant Combination Ideas with Hibiscus Guides with Hibiscus

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.