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Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Bird'

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Hibiscus syriacus 'Oiseau Bleu'
Phonetic Spelling
hi-BIS-kus seer-ee-AY-kus
Description

‘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.

More information on Hibiscus syriacus.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#heat tolerant#purple flowers#pink flowers#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#blue flowers#salt tolerant#low maintenance#specialized bees#privacy#deer resistant#foundation planting#large flowers#long bloom time#pollinator plant#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#humidity tolerant#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#shrub borders#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#heat tolerant#purple flowers#pink flowers#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#blue flowers#salt tolerant#low maintenance#specialized bees#privacy#deer resistant#foundation planting#large flowers#long bloom time#pollinator plant#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#humidity tolerant#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#shrub borders#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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