PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 10

Hibiscus syriacus - Rose of Sharon, Althea, or Hibiscus

Plant Viewer
Detecting Flash
The bright green leaf is three-lobed and palmately veined. It has an irregularly serrated margin. The flower are 2-4 inches wide and have five petals or double blooms. They bloom at the end of summer and into fall.
The seed is cone shaped with a rounded base. When the seed opens it forms a five-pointed star that looks similar to a blossom. It has a very good vase shape with many strong upright branches.

Plant Description

Hibiscus syriacus, or Rose of Sharon, is a large shrub or small tree, reaching 8-12 feet high and 6-10 feet wide. It is a hardy and tolerant plant, but does not cope well with extremes of soil or moisture. It forms an upright, oval shape with a fairly dense branching form. It performs best in a hot, full sun location - but be sure that it has adequate irrigation.

The leaf has three distinct lobes with an irregular serration on the margin of the leaf. They are a bright and vibrant green and slightly lustrous. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. In late summer and into fall, the shrub puts on a great blossom display, with individual flowers 2-4 inches across. The flowers have five-petals and can be white or any number of shades of purple, depending on the cultivar.

The fruit appears as a brown capsule. It is cone-shaped with a rounded base, and eventually bursts open to create a 5-pointed star shape. I think that the seed capsules are somewhat ornamental because of their unique and geometric shape.

Landscape Use

Because of its size it is best used in a shrub border or deeper perennial border.

Points of Interest

The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Notable Cultivars

Ardens
This double bloom variety has purple-pink blossoms.



Lucy
The dark pink blossoms on this variety are nearly red in color. The flowers are double blooms.



Red Heart
Pure white single blossoms have a prominent red center.