For a tropical look, even in cold climates, add rose of Sharon to your yard. This flowering shrub is hardy and has pretty flowers that bloom from midsummer to fall, when most other shrubs are done for the year.
Rose of Sharon is easy to grow, even for beginning gardeners. Rose of Sharon bushes can grow in USDA zones 5–9 and can handle a lot of different conditions, such as poor soil, heat, humidity, drought, and air pollution.
Flowers bloom from the middle of summer to the end of fall. They can be white, red, pink, lavender, blue, or bicolor, and they can be single or double. The plants grow in a beautiful vase shape and have small, attractive, toothed green leaves that don’t change much in the fall.
The exotic and stunning red rose of sharon hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) is a star in the garden from midsummer into fall. This deciduous shrub boasts large, showy flowers resembling hollyhock blossoms that will have you mesmerized. Native to China and Korea, the rose of sharon has been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years and is rich in Asian history and lore. If you are looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance shrub that provides abundant blooms to enjoy and share, the red rose of sharon hibiscus belongs in your landscape
An Overview of the Red Rose of Sharon Hibiscus
The red rose of sharon is a vase-shaped multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that typically grows 8-12 feet tall with a 6-8 foot spread. However, more compact varieties like ‘Red Pillar’ only reach 4-5 feet wide. This makes them perfect for smaller gardens or as a low hedge.
The leaves are alternate simple oval to lance-shaped with toothed margins. They emerge green in spring and turn yellow in fall. The real showstoppers are the huge, red hibiscus-like flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. They can be single or double blooms up to 8 inches across.
Long red stamens protrude from the center, attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In fact, rose of sharon is a favorite nectar source for pollinators when many other plants have stopped blooming.
Growing Conditions for Red Rose of Sharon
Rose of sharon thrives in full sun and adapts to most well-drained soils. It is drought tolerant once established and can handle environmental stresses like pollution, heat, humidity, and poor soil. This makes it ideal for urban settings.
While extremely winter hardy to USDA zones 5-9, it blooms best where summers are hot. Provide ample space as it suckers freely. Prune in late winter to control size and shape. Fertilize in early spring to promote blooms.
Choosing a Red Variety
While rose of sharon comes in many colors, red varieties are exceptionally eye-catching. Here are some top picks:
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‘Red Pillar’ – A Proven Winners variety growing 10-16 feet tall but only 4-5 feet wide. Dark pink flowers with red centers. Fantastic narrow habit.
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‘Helene’ – Large, double red blooms with frilled petals. Grows 8-10 feet tall and wide. Award-winner.
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‘Red Heart’ – Floriferous with single, bright red blooms featuring prominent yellow stamens. Grows 10 feet tall and wide.
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‘Razzle Dazzle’ – Unique red flowers with ruffled petals and cream variegation. Grows 8 feet tall and wide.
Using Red Rose of Sharon in the Landscape
With its upright vase-shape habit and abundant blooms, rose of sharon is ideal for:
- Specimen plant or focal point
- Mass planting for bold color impact
- Screening unsightly views like AC units or fences
- Low hedge or border
- Cut flowers for bouquets
- Containers on patios and decks
The compact varieties can even be grown in large planters on balconies or porches. Their vibrant blooms will draw attention wherever you place them.
Caring for Your Red Rose of Sharon
Luckily, rose of sharon care is quite simple:
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Plant in spring in full sun and well-drained soil. Space shrubs 4-6 feet apart.
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Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
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Water weekly the first season, then only during drought once established.
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Prune in late winter to shape and rejuvenate. Remove crossing or damaged branches.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and treat promptly to avoid infestations.
That’s all it takes to enjoy seasons of beauty from the beloved red rose of sharon! It’s easy to see why this exotic flowering shrub has been treasured for centuries.
Other Fabulous Facts about Rose of Sharon
Beyond being a stellar garden plant, rose of sharon has some fascinating lore and legend associated with it:
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Its scientific name Hibiscus means “marshmallow” in Greek, referring to the plant’s thick, mucilaginous leaves.
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In Buddhism, it symbolizes impermanence as its flowers only last a day.
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According to Chinese legend, its blossoms hide a beautiful maiden named Mai Shi who was transformed into the flower.
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Rose of sharon is the national flower of South Korea, where it represents immortality.
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In the Victorian language of flowers, giving rose of sharon conveys the message “consumed by love.”
Bring Exotic Drama into Your Garden
If you want bold colors, endless blooms, and easy care, welcome the captivating red rose of sharon hibiscus into your outdoor space. Both you and the pollinators will be thrilled with this dazzling, trouble-free performer. Let its exotic beauty transport you with visions of the Far East. The romance and allure of the rose of sharon awaits!
PLANTING & CARING FOR ROSE OF SHARON
How to plant: Follow these steps to plant rose of Sharon. Space plants 6-10 feet apart, depending on the variety.
- Make a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball.
- Take the plant out of its nursery pot slowly, and loosen the soil around its roots.
- Plant the tree so that the top of the root ball is at or just above soil level.
- Put soil back into the hole and press it down a little to get rid of any air pockets. Water well.
- Add shredded bark to your mulch to keep the soil moist and keep weeds from growing.
Soil: Rose of Sharon aren’t fussy about soil type or pH; any well-drained soil will do.
Watering: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep, healthy roots. Rose of Sharon is drought-tolerant once established.
Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring by applying a granular rose fertilizer according to the label. Reapply each spring.
Pruning: Rose of Sharon needs little to no regular pruning. If you wish to prune, however, late winter or early spring is the best time to do so. Up to one-third of the plant can be removed at a time.
TRY THESE PROVEN WINNERS® VARIETIES
Rose of Sharon comes in a range of flower colors and forms, try these in your garden:
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The Chiffon® series is characterized by semi-double powderpuff-like flowers and a soft, graceful habit. Take your pick from five colors: Dark Lavender Chiffon, White Chiffon, Magenta Chiffon, Blue Chiffon, and Pink Chiffon. |
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The Satin® series offers striking flowers that produce few to no seeds. Color choices include Purple Satin, Azurri Blue Satin, Orchid Satin, and Ruffled Satin. |
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Sugar Tip® offers variegated foliage with creamy margins and blue-green coloring that offsets the double pastel pink blossoms. Use as a stand-alone accent in a container, in a mixed border or foundation planting. |
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Lil’ Kim® is a dwarf form about half the size of most other varieties. Long-lasting flowers 3” across have ruffly snow-white petals that beautifully contrast with the dark red throat. Suitable for small spaces in containers or as a stand-alone accent in the landscape. |
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Pollypetite® stays more compact, making it a perfect choice for smaller urban yards. Prolific lavender-pink blooms occur all summer long, standing out against the dark blue-green foliage. Use in containers, in a mixed border or as a stand-alone accent. |
Purple Pillar® is a truly unique form, growing into a tall, narrow column that is especially suited for small spaces. Grow against a wall as a formal clipped element or use as a screen or hedge. Semi-double flowers are pale lavender with a deep red center. 30 Seconds with Lil’ Kim® Red Rose of Sharon
FAQ
How big do rose of Sharon Hibiscus get?
Is there a difference between rose of Sharon and Hibiscus?
What are the cons of rose of Sharon?
Is the red pillar rose of Sharon invasive?
Are Sharon Roses bicolored?
Such foliage plants like this one offer continuing appeal even after many garden blooms have wilted. Many rose of Sharon varieties with white flowers are technically bicolored: Most of the petal is white, but the part near the center that forms the throat is a darker color. For example, in the case of ‘Red Heart,’ the throat is red.
What is Hibiscus syriacus red pillar?
Hibiscus syriacus Red Pillar® is a striking, columnar shrub known for its vibrant red, semi-double flowers that create a stunning vertical display in the garden. This hardy, deciduous shrub features a narrow, upright growth habit, making it ideal for small spaces, privacy screens, or as a dramatic focal point.
When does Rose of Sharon Bloom?
Choose late-blooming flowers to extend your garden’s colors through fall Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a flowering shrub that provides long-lasting color in the landscape. It blooms in the summertime after many plants are through with flowering, and its bloom period stretches until cool weather hits in the fall.
What does a purple pillar Hibiscus look like?
‘Purple Pillar’ flowers have a bicolor appearance: The semi-double purple blooms have a large red throat. This rose of Sharon variety, which blooms from July into September, is excellent as a screening wall or a vertical accent in a mixed perennial garden. Like most hibiscus, it attracts bees and other pollinators.
Is a Rose of Sharon a good plant?
The foliage is also attractive with brightly variegated creamy-white and bluish-green coloring. Most rose of Sharon varieties are valued mainly for their flowers, but don’t underestimate the importance of attractive foliage. Such foliage plants like this one offer continuing appeal even after many garden blooms have wilted.
Is Rose of Sharon a tree?
While rose of Sharon is technically a bush, not a tree, you can train it as a tree by pruning to one main trunk (leader). Rose of Sharon has acquired a bad rap for its tendency to readily self-seed and the shrub has become invasive in some regions of the United States. If this is an issue in your area, make sure to select a sterile cultivar.