Rose of Sharon is a shrub or small tree that blooms with abandon from midsummer until frost.
Or, a grouping of rose of Sharon shrubs can create a colorful living screen during the growing season.
(Note: As it is deciduous, the screening effect is lost in winter.)
Credit: Helen Norman
Or, for those with limited space, dwarf varieties of rose of Sharon grow well in large containers.
Plant rose of Sharon in moist, well-drained soil andfull sun or part shade.
It flowers best when planted in a location that receives at least 8 hours of bright sunlight daily.
Credit: Justin Hancock
To control spread, dig out volunteer seedlings and deadhead flowers before they go to seed.
Space several shrubs 6 to 10 feet apart.
Dwarf varieties can be planted 3 to 4 feet apart.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Light
Plant rose of Sharon infull sunor part shade.
It flowers best when planted in a location that receives at least 8 hours of bright sunlight a day.
It reliably tolerates poor, infertile soil, sandy soil, orsticky clayas long as it drains well.
Credit: Todd Dacquisto
Avoid planting it in boggy soil and areas with standing water.
Water rose of Sharon weekly during the first growing season after planting.
Aim to provide at least 1 inch of water per week to establish a robust root system.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Once established, rose of Sharon is relatively drought and heat-tolerant and requires little maintenance.
It is not uncommon for rose of Sharon to leaf out as late as mid-June.
As the heat increases and growth begins, it will mature quickly.
Credit: Stephen Cridland
Fertilizer
Rose of Sharon does not need fertilizer.
The compost will provide nutrients while enriching soil structure.
Regular pruning also boosts the size of the shrubs flowers.
Remove damaged, diseased, or dead wood in late winter or early spring.
Rose of Sharon can also be sheared into a formal, uniform hedge.
Start by planting the young shrub in a 12-inch pot with excellent drainage and good-quality potting soil.
Position it in an area where it receives full sun.
Eventually, you might need to move it to an in-ground location.
Most notably, rose of Sharon can spread aggressively by seed and escape cultivation if not properly managed.
A few varieties have been bred to be low-seed or no-seed to combat this problem.
Sugar Tip, Pollypetite, Azurri Blue Satin, and Purple Satin are all low-seed varieties.
It is easy to propagate rose of Sharon with stem cuttings.
Youll find dwarf types and large types too.
Helene
Hibiscus syriacusHelene offers a nonstop summer show of ruffledwhite flowerswith a reddish-purple center.
This large shrub grows upright with multiple stems and reaches 9 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
It produces few or no seeds.
Come summer, it bears an abundance of ruffled white flowers with crimson throats.
It is an excellent plant for small spaces or containers.
It grows to 10 feet tall and doesnt produce seeds.
Weigela sizes range from 1 to 6 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Weigelafoliage colorsrange from green and gold to deep burgundy.
Potentilla
Potentillahas crisp, neat foliage and charming flowers thatresemble anemones.
Then, when potentilla drops its leaves in the fall, a reddish peeling bark is revealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
It grows and flowers best when grown outdoors in Zones 59.
Plant scientists have theories but no actual conclusion.
The shrub might have over-produced flower buds and is sloughing off those it cannot mature.
An extended period of drought or exceedingly wet conditions might cause the plant to drop buds.
Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus L. Weed of the Week.
North Carolina State University Extension
