Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus and cvs.) hy-BIS-kus seer-ee-AY-kus Genus:  Hibiscus This hardy, deciduous, vase-shaped, woody shrub blooms for several weeks beginning in midsummer. Cultivars include ‘Aphrodite’ (deep rose-pink flowers with  a dark red eye), ‘Diana’ (large white flowers with wavy-margined petals), ‘Helene’ (white flowers with bases flushed reddish purple), and ‘Minerva' (low-branched with  lavender flowers tinged with pink and dark red centers). Noteworthy Characteristics:  Unpruned, Rose of Sharon can grow to 15 feet or more tall. Open habit looks best at the back of a border, in groups, or as an informal hedge. Care:  Provide full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Propagation:  Divide in spring. Root greenwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cutings in summer. Problems:  Rust, fungal leaf spots, bacterial blight, Verticillium wilt, viruses, and stem and root rots. Whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, mites, Japanese beetles, and caterpillars.

Overview

Height 10 ft. to 15 ft. Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Growth Pace Invasive/Aggressive Grower Light Full Sun Only Moisture Medium Moisture Characteristics Showy Flowers Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Pink, Red, White Uses Beds and Borders, Hedge, Specimen Plant/Focal Point Style Cottage Garden Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Type Shrubs