Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Bird'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus syriacus 'Oiseau Bleu'
- Phonetic Spelling
- hi-BIS-kus seer-ee-AY-kus
- Description
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‘Blue Bird’ Rose of Sharon is a rapidly growing, large, deciduous shrub that is a member of the Malvaceae (mallow) family. This multi-stemmed shrub has a vase to a rounded shape and is best known for its long bloom period from summer into fall, with large violet blue, pink, or purple trumpet shaped flowers.
It grows to a height of 8 to 12 feet high and 6 to 10 to feet wide, so consider its space requirements when identifying its planting location.
Rose of Sharon grows well in the piedmont region of North Carolina. Plant in full sun or partial shade, although it flowers best in full sun. It is easily grown in average soil but prefers occasionally moist soil that is high in organic matter.
Prune it to shape lightly in the spring or prune it back hard in the winter which will help it produce larger flowers. Keep in mind that flowers will appear on new growth. This culitivar is sterile and does not produce seed. Rose of Sharon tolerates southern summers and salt well and is mildly resistant to foraging by wildlife.
The large showy flowers attract many pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds making it a natural choice for a pollinator garden. Use it as a foundation plant, plant in small groups in a shrub border, or line up to create a hedge. or privacy green
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealybugs, and thrips are occasional problems.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- syriacus
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large, 3 in, showy, trumpet shaped, purple blue flowers with 5 petals last about one day and appear in the midsummer to early fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves have three lobes
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Humidity
- Salt
- Wet Soil
