Hibiscus syriacus ‘Oiseau Bleu’ (Rose of Sharon)
Rose of Sharon 'Oiseau Bleu', Shrub Althea 'Oiseau Bleu', Hibiscus syriacus BLUE BIRD, Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Bird'
One of the best known and most widely planted cultivars, award-winning Hibiscus syriacus ‘Oiseau Bleu’ or ‘Blue Bird’ (Rose of Sharon) is an upright deciduous shrub noted for its large, trumpet-shaped, violet-blue flowers, up to 3 in. across (8 cm), adorned with a dark reddish-purple eye surrounding a cream center. Blooming continuously from midsummer to frost, each flower lasts about one day and stands out against the green foliage of lobed, dark green leaves. A very useful, structural shrub for the back of the border or as a flowering hedge.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Typically grows with a rounded habit to 6-8 ft. tall (180-240 cm) with a spread of 6 ft. (180 cm). This is a sterile cultivar that does not produce viable seed.
- A full sun lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, organically rich soils, but tolerates poor soils. Tolerant of drought, salt, heat and humidity.
- Fairly pest and disease free. Watch for aphids, mealybugs and thrips. Deer resistant.
- Plant in shrub borders for dramatic summer blooms. Great flowering shrub for foundation plantings, hedges or screens.
- Prune to shape in spring. Pruning back to 2-3 buds in late winter may produce bigger blooms.
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Requirements
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2A, 2B, 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 | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Malvaceae |
| Genus | Hibiscus |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
| Spread |
5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm) |
| Spacing | 72" (180cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
matunka / 123RF Banque d'images
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.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2A, 2B, 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 | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Malvaceae |
| Genus | Hibiscus |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
| Spread |
5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm) |
| Spacing | 72" (180cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
