Hibiscus syriacus, Rose of Sharon
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Deciduous Shrubs

Hibiscus syriacus

Rose of Sharon

MalvaceaeAsia

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height8–12 feet (2.4–3.6 m)
Width4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Hibiscus syriacus, commonly called rose of Sharon or shrub althea, is a large deciduous shrub in the family Malvaceae, native to eastern Asia — China, India, and the Korean peninsula — despite its misleading species name suggesting Syrian origin. It is one of the latest-flowering deciduous shrubs in the Pacific Northwest temperate garden, blooming reliably from July through September when most woody plants have finished for the season. Plants grow 8–12 feet (2.4–3.6 m) tall and 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) wide with an upright, vase-shaped to columnar habit, making it useful as a narrow vertical accent or informal hedge. The alternate, three-lobed, coarsely toothed leaves are medium to dark green and emerge late in spring — one of the last deciduous shrubs to leaf out. The flowers are large, 2.5–4 inches (6–10 cm) across, hollyhock-like with five broadly overlapping petals surrounding a prominent central staminal column; available in white, pink, red, purple, lavender, and bicolors, typically with a contrasting darker basal blotch. The species and older cultivars set abundant seed and can naturalize in disturbed areas; newer sterile or near-sterile selections are preferred for garden use. The national flower of South Korea.

Native Range

Native to eastern Asia — China, India, and the Korean peninsula. Long cultivated throughout Asia and introduced to European horticulture in the 16th century. The species name syriacus is a historical misnomer; the plant was not native to Syria. Not native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Rose of Sharon fills the critical late-summer flowering gap in Pacific Northwest deciduous shrub borders, providing reliable color from July through September when few woody plants of comparable size are in bloom. Excellent as a narrow upright accent, informal hedge, or specimen in a mixed border. Well-suited to warm, south-facing walls and sheltered urban courtyards. Specify sterile or near-sterile cultivars for garden use: 'Diana' (pure white, single), 'Aphrodite' (deep pink with red eye), 'Minerva' (lavender-pink). A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens.

How to Identify

Rose of Sharon is identified by its upright, vase-shaped, late-leafing deciduous habit with alternate, three-lobed, coarsely toothed, medium green leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long. The flowers are large (2.5–4 inches / 6–10 cm), five-petaled, hollyhock-like with a prominent central staminal column, produced in the axils of new growth from July through September. Individual flowers last one day, opening each morning and closing or falling by evening. Color, size, and degree of doubling vary considerably across cultivars. Distinguished from H. moscheutos (swamp rose mallow) by its woody, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub habit and much smaller, three-lobed leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 12'
Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink
purple
red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks
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SummerFall
Rose of Sharon blooms over a long season from July through September in Pacific Northwest gardens — one of the longest flowering periods of any deciduous shrub. Individual flowers last a single day but are produced in continuous succession over 8–10 weeks from the axils of new growth. The peak display is typically in August. Sterile or near-sterile cultivars often carry heavier flower loads than seed-setting selections.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Variable — white, pink, red, purple, lavender; 5-petaled, 2.5–4 inches (6–10 cm), with prominent central staminal column; typically with contrasting basal blotch

Foliage Description

Alternate, three-lobed, coarsely toothed, medium to dark green, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm); late to emerge in spring

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 5-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3–5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Rose of Sharon is highly adaptable to a range of soil conditions including clay and alkaline soils, though it performs best in loam with good drainage. In Pacific Northwest gardens it benefits from a warm, sheltered, south- or west-facing position that maximizes summer heat for best flowering. Water regularly for the first two to three years; established plants tolerate drought and summer dry conditions well. Late to leaf out in spring — do not assume winter damage if bare in April. Largely pest- and disease-free in Pacific Northwest conditions.

Pruning

Rose of Sharon flowers on the current season's new growth. Prune in early spring (February–March) before growth begins, cutting stems back by one-third to one-half to encourage vigorous new growth and heavy flowering. More severe pruning produces fewer, larger flowers; lighter pruning produces more, smaller flowers. Deadhead spent flowers on seeding cultivars to reduce volunteer seedlings. Remove suckers from the base as they appear.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic