WSU Clark County Extension
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Rose of Sharon

Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus
Taxonomy
Family:Malvaceae
Type:Deciduous shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:5 to 8
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:12 ft
Width:6 ft
Bloom:Summer flowers
Bloom Time:June to October
Bloom Color:Lavender
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Home gardeners and landscapers select Rose of Sharon for its long summer flowering period as it bears pleasing hollyhock flowers well into the fall.

  Morphology:
This is a vigorous, upright growing deciduous vase-shaped shrub which can be either left to grow in multi-stemmed shape or thinned to a single stem small tree. It is not-uncommon to find Rose of Sharon growing to a height of 8’-12’ with a 6’ spread.

Leaves are 3-lobed, medium green in color with a coarse texture. Healthy leaves can be 3” long.

From early summer (June) through the fall (October) it bears very showy hollyhock-like 5-petaled flowers, each of which can be 3” in diameter. Flowers vary in color but are often pink with red centers. A notable white stamen forms in the center of the flower.

At the end of the season the flowers give rise to dehiscent seed capsules that persist into the winter.

  Adaptation:
Rose of Sharon prefers full sun to part shade, and grows best in a wide array of soil types. It prefers hot weather and does best in well-drained soils supplemented with organic material.

This is an excellent flowering shrub that may be massed, planted in groups or used as a specimen. Multiple plants make nice hedges.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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