Hibiscus syriacus 'Diana'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hi-BIS-kus seer-ee-AY-kus
- Description
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‘Diana’ rose of Sharon is a large deciduous shrub in the Malvaceae (mallow) family. It matures to a height of 5 to 8 feet and a width of 4 to 6 feet, so consider its space requirement when identifying its planting location. Its pure white flowers with no eye are tubular in shape and bloom in summer. Despite its name, rose of Sharon is not related to roses at all.
Plant in locations that receive full sun to partial shade and that have clay or loamy soil with good drainage and high in organic matter. It is a low-maintenance plant and has a medium growth rate. The plant is triploid, which means it does not produce seed. Rose of Sharon tolerates summer heat and humidity and wet sites and is resistant to black walnut rot. It is mildly resistant to deer damage.
The plant tolerates pruning, but when pruning, keep in mind that flowers will appear on new growth. Its flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies and bees so use it in a pollinator or naturalized garden. Plant multiples for use as a privacy screen or hedge.
Quick ID Hints:
- large, tropical looking, 5-petaled flowers
- erect, spreading habit with upright branches
- 3-lobed leaves are 2-4 inches long
- simple, alternate, coarsely toothed leaves
- 5-valved, dehiscent capsule persists thru winter
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious 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.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Black Walnut
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Hollyhock-like, 5-petaled
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Medium green, glossy
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Wet Soil
