Rose of China Hibiscus syriacus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Althaea frutex
- Hibiscus acerifolius
- Ketmia syriaca
- Phonetic Spelling
- hi-BIS-kus seer-ee-AY-kus
- Description
-
Drought, wet soil, and air pollution tolerant; late to leaf out in spring; prefers hot weather; spring pruning will increase flower size; flowers on new growth; moderate to rapid growth rate. This plant is moderately salt tolerant. Despite it's name, Rose of Sharon is not related to roses at all.
Sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates wet soil.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Rose of Sharon has been reported to be invasive in some states, including Virginia and Kentucky
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
8-12' high and 6-10' wide deciduous shrub, erect, spreading habit with upright branches.
Full sun to partial shade; tolerant of neglect; pH adaptable; does best in moist, well-drained soils but is tolerant of any but extremely wet or dry; prefers hot weather.
Good for late season flowering; valued for large, tropical looking flowers; easily transplanted; used for groupings, masses, shrub borders; pest and disease susceptible.
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:
- Relaxed Foundation Planting
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aphrodite'
rose flowers
'Blue Bird'
- 'Blushing Bride'
- 'Collie Mullens'
- 'Freedom'
- 'Helene'
white/purple flowers - 'Lavender Chiffon'
- 'Minerva'
A heavily bloomer with lavender flowers overcast with some pink, red eye at base, foliage is higher quality than the species. - 'Peppermint Smoothie'
- 'Pink Giant'
- 'Purpureus Variegatus'
- 'Red Heart'
- 'Strawberry Smoothie'
- 'Tri-color'
Double flowers are pink, red or purple and are mixed over the plant. - 'White Chiffon'
Blue vase-shaped flowers
A triploid with large, pure white flowers which remain open at night, foliage is dark green and waxy. - 'Aphrodite'
- 'Aphrodite', 'Blue Bird', 'Blushing Bride' , 'Collie Mullens', 'Diana', 'Freedom', 'Helene', 'Lavender Chiffon', 'Minerva', 'Peppermint Smoothie', 'Pink Giant', 'Purpureus Variegatus', 'Red Heart', 'Strawberry Smoothie', 'Tri-color', 'White Chiffon'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aphrodite'
rose flowers
'Blue Bird'
- 'Blushing Bride'
- 'Collie Mullens'
- 'Freedom'
- 'Helene'
white/purple flowers - 'Lavender Chiffon'
- 'Minerva'
A heavily bloomer with lavender flowers overcast with some pink, red eye at base, foliage is higher quality than the species. - 'Peppermint Smoothie'
- 'Pink Giant'
- 'Purpureus Variegatus'
- 'Red Heart'
- 'Strawberry Smoothie'
- 'Tri-color'
Double flowers are pink, red or purple and are mixed over the plant. - 'White Chiffon'
Blue vase-shaped flowers
A triploid with large, pure white flowers which remain open at night, foliage is dark green and waxy. - 'Aphrodite'
- 'Aphrodite', 'Blue Bird', 'Blushing Bride' , 'Collie Mullens', 'Diana', 'Freedom', 'Helene', 'Lavender Chiffon', 'Minerva', 'Peppermint Smoothie', 'Pink Giant', 'Purpureus Variegatus', 'Red Heart', 'Strawberry Smoothie', 'Tri-color', 'White Chiffon'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- syriacus
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. China, Taiwan
- Wildlife Value:
- Attractive to hummingbirds. Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Mildly resistant to damage by deer, moderate salt tolerance.
- 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
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- A 5-valved dehiscent capsule, 3/4" long and wide, brown; persists through winter.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2 to 4 in. flowers with 5 crepe-like petals; red, white, violet, purple, two-toned; single or double; last for one day. Campanulate; single or double, solitary.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple medium to dark green leaves; 2 to 4 in. long; coarsely toothed; modest yellow fall color. Alternate, simple, 3-lobed, 2-4" long, coarsely toothed, glabrous, can be shiny.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Salt
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
