hollyhock vs rose of sharon

Hollyhock vs Rose of Sharon How to Tell These Summer-Blooming Beauties Apart

As an avid gardener I’m always looking to add new plants with beautiful blooms to my backyard. Two flowers that catch my eye every summer are hollyhocks and rose of sharon. Though they look quite similar there are some key differences between these two showy plants.

In this article, I’ll compare hollyhock vs rose of sharon to help you decide which one is best for your garden. We’ll look at their appearance, growth habits, care requirements, and more so you can make an informed decision. Let’s dive in!

Appearance

At first glance, hollyhocks and rose of sharon look almost identical thanks to their large, eye-catching flowers. The blooms come in shades of white, pink, red, purple, and yellow for both plants. However, you can tell them apart because hollyhocks have divided leaves with rounded lobes on the edges, while rose of sharon has thicker, shinier serrated leaves.

The flowers also differ slightly upon closer inspection. Hollyhock blooms are made up of crinkly petals that create a ruffled look. Rose of sharon flowers have smoother, waxier petals in a classic trumpet shape. Once you know what to look for, it’s easy to distinguish these summer charmers.

Growth Habits

When it comes to growth habits, hollyhocks and rose of sharon have some notable differences. Hollyhocks are biennials or short-lived perennials that can reach heights of 6-10 feet tall. They form tall spikes lined with blossoms on leafy green stems. In comparison, rose of sharon is a deciduous shrub that grows 3-12 feet tall and wide. It flowers on new wood each season.

Thanks to its shrubby nature, rose of sharon tends to have a neater, more compact shape than towering hollyhocks. It also lives longer, while hollyhocks may only thrive for a couple seasons before dying off. Keep these growth patterns in mind when situating them in your landscape.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Though they share a love of summer sun, hollyhocks and rose of sharon do best under slightly different conditions. Here are the ideal growing requirements for each plant:

• Hollyhocks prefer cooler climates and do well in zones 3-9. They need full sun and moist, fertile soil. Excellent drainage is a must to avoid root rot.

• Rose of sharon thrives in hot, humid zones 5-9. It tolerates drought, poor soil, pollution, and salt. For the most abundant blooms, provide full sun and average moisture.

As you can see, rose of sharon is the tougher, more adaptable plant overall. But hollyhocks aren’t fussy either as long as their basic needs are met. Just be sure to choose the right spot in your yard to suit each flower.

Bloom Season

One of the best things about hollyhocks and rose of sharon is their incredibly long bloom seasons. However, they reach peak flowering at different times of year.

Hollyhocks start blooming in early to midsummer and last through the end of summer or into early fall. The flowers open progressively from the bottom up along the tall flower stalks. Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowering.

Meanwhile, rose of sharon begins its display a little later in mid to late summer. It continues blooming into early fall, making it a great source of color when other plants are fading. The abundance of blossoms covers the shrubs, and minimal deadheading is needed.

With their staggered bloom times, planting both hollyhocks and rose of sharon extends your garden’s floral show for months on end. It’s a spectacular summer treat!

Maintenance Needs

Luckily, hollyhocks and rose of sharon are both relatively unfussy once established. Here are their basic care requirements:

• Hollyhocks should be cut back each winter or fall. Apply compost and fertilizer in spring to fuel growth. Stake tall varieties for support. Watch for rust disease and Japanese beetles.

• Rose of sharon only needs occasional pruning for shape and renewal. Fertilize in early spring if needed. Mulch roots to retain moisture. Check new plants for stem borer insects.

As you can see, rose of sharon is the lowest maintenance option thanks to its hardy nature. But a little TLC keeps both plants looking their best with gorgeous blooms.

Usages in the Landscape

When it comes to using hollyhocks and rose of sharon in your garden, they each shine in certain situations:

• Hollyhocks make excellent cut flowers and cottage garden accent plants. They work well along fences, borders, and foundations. Allow them to self-sow for free plants.

• Rose of sharon makes a great specimen shrub or privacy hedge. It also thrives in highway medians and urban areas. Prune into a small tree form for striking height.

The towering spires of hollyhocks steal the show in perennial beds and borders. Meanwhile, rose of sharon provides structure and focal interest all season long. Use them both to their full potential!

Comparing Hollyhock vs Rose of Sharon

Now that we’ve covered all the key differences, let’s recap how these two flowering plants stack up:

• Hollyhocks have ruffled, divided leaves and 6-10′ tall bloom spikes that open progressively from bottom up in early to late summer.

• Rose of sharon has shiny, serrated leaves and 3-12′ tall shrubby form that’s covered in blooms mid to late summer.

• Hollyhocks are biennials/short-lived perennials while rose of sharon is a deciduous flowering shrub.

• Rose of sharon is lower maintenance, more adaptable, and longer-lived than hollyhocks.

• Hollyhocks work beautifully in cottage gardens while rose of sharon makes a great hedge or specimen plant.

As you can see, each flower has its merits! Choose hollyhocks for their old-fashioned charm and rose of sharon for elegant structure. Or grow both for an extended season of captivating blooms in your garden.