Rose of Sharon (Althea Shrub) Profile

Rose of Sharon (Althea Shrub) is a hardy deciduous plant of the tropical hibiscus family. Rose of Sharon’s late flowering, striking flower shape, ease of maintenance and good drought tolerance (once established) make it ideal for gardening. One of the few summer-flowering shrubs, Rose of Sharon has 4-inch lobes or toothed leaves that come on so late in the spring that sometimes gardeners unfamiliar with the shrub worry that their plants are dead. Just be patient - the rewards will come.

Rose of Sharon Picture

Rose of Sharon Info

Botanical Name	Hibiscus syriacus
Common Name	Althea shrub, Korean rose, rose mallow, Chinese hibiscus, Rose of Sharon
Plant Type	Shrub
Mature Size	8-12 ft. tall, 6-10 ft. wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun to part shade
Soil Type	Moist
Soil pH	Neutral to acidic, alkaline
Bloom Time	Late summer, early fall

Rose of Sharon Native Habits

Rose of Sharon prefers direct sunlight or partial shade. Therefore, plant it in a spot that gets at least four hours of sun every day. Keep in mind that to get the gorgeous flowers, you need to protect the plant from the midday sun during the summer.This shrub is easy to maintain because the plant is resistant to drought and salt. The pollution doesn’t damage the rose of Sharon either, so if you live in an urban area, it is a safe choice for your garden. While pests could attack your rose of Sharon, the only one that can damage this shrub is a Japanese beetle. Make sure you provide your rose of Sharon with a lot of moisture after you plant it. It thrives in slightly acidic soil that is also well-drained. The perfect time for planting rose of Sharon is either in spring or fall. The leaves should appear in late spring, but keep in mind that this plant is a slow grower.

Rose of Sharon Distribution

There are more than 250 species of hibiscus, but one that is considered a heritage-type plant is the rose of Sharon, also called althea. Rose of Sharon were very common in Southern nurseries in the 1800s, so they have been around a long time. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is native to China and India, and was one of the many plants grown from seed by Thomas Jefferson. The name hibiscus is from an ancient Greek name for "mallow," for this plant was thought to resemble the mallow blossom. Traditional varieties can get quite large in size, and are typically grown as large shrubs or small patio trees. One of the problems cited in many publications is that Rose of Sharon are invasive in many areas of the United States. Homeowners report that they love the flowers but hate the hundreds of seedlings that they generate.

How to Grow & Care for Rose of Sharon

How to Grow Rose of Sharon

• With Seeds

It is easier to propagate Rose of Sharon from seed, however the offspring are not true to type. Harvest the seeds in fall just before they are fully mature and sow them directly into the planting bed outdoors. You can also store the Rose of Sharon seeds in a dry place over winter and sow them in spring. If so, soak the seeds in water for around 24 hours. Then sow the seeds into sowing substrate in a seed tray, lightly press into the soil using a board and sift a little sand over them. The seeds start to germinate after 4 to 10 days and can be pricked out into pots a few weeks later. After around three years, the young Rose of Sharon can be planted in the garden.

• With Cuttings

Rose of Sharon is propagated through cuttings. You can do so at any time of the year. But there are a few things you need to remember if you want to grow another bush in your yard. For instance, take green cuttings during summer and wooden cuttings in fall or winter. The wooden cuttings should be at least one year old. Aim for 4 to 6-inch cutting. All leaves except for the top ones should be removed.
Generally, the safest way to propagate rose of sharon is to place a fresh cutting into a pot. Use a rooting hormone on the bottom part of the stem and place the lower half into a pot. Water the cutting and cover it up with clear plastic.

How to Care for Rose of Sharon

• Light

Rose of Sharon will grow well in full sun or part shade. For best flowering and overall performance, we suggest a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight.

• Soil

Rose of Sharon prefers well-drained clay soil that is rich in nutrients and humus, and not too dry.

• Water

Rose of Sharon prefers moist soil, especially during spring and summer. Water Rose of Sharon frequently to increase the number of flowers. On the other hand, too much water can damage the plant.

• Temperature and Humidity

A heat lover, Rose of Sharon is also prized by growers in the southeastern U.S. who seek plants that can stand up to summer's heat. It is also tolerant of a wide range of humidity conditions.

• Fertilizer

Hibiscus need a fertilizer high in potassium (K), low in phosphorus (P), and with a medium amount of nitrogen (N)—too much phosphorus will kill a hibiscus.

• Pruning

Flowers are produced on new wood, so prune in early spring to shape and reduce size. Pruning the shrub back to 2 to 3 buds per branch in spring encourages larger flowers.

• Pests and Diseases

Althea is susceptible to flower bud drop, which happens when soil moisture levels fluctuate widely. Regular watering helps prevent this. Leaf spot, a common fungal disease that affects althea, can be treated with a sulfur plant fungicide.

Rose of Sharon Uses

Ornamental uses

As an ornamental shrub, Rose of Sharon makes for a good specimen plant in small gardens. However, it can also be planted as a small group of shrubs. It looks particularly beautiful as a flowering hedge made up of different Hibiscus varieties. Insects also enjoy the nectar-rich flowers.

Culinary Uses for Hibiscus

Every part of The Rose of Sharon is edible leaves, blossoms and bark- it contains vitamin C and, Anthocyanins which are antioxidants. The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a very mild flavor, but get tough as they age, good when mixed with a softer leaved lettuce. You can make tea from the leaves or the flowers. Flowers – raw or cooked. A mild flavor and mucilaginous texture, they are better than the leave in a salad, both for looking at and for eating. The root is edible but very fiber-y; mucilaginous and without very much flavor.

Rose of Sharon Varieties

Rose of Sharon‘Lil' Kim' is a dwarf rose of Sharon with red, purple or white blooms. It matures at 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. The leaves are small, so you see a lot of colorful blooms as opposed to foliage. The flowers often last up to three days, while most rose of Sharon blooms fade after just one day.
Rose of Sharon‘Purple Pillar' rose of Sharon is a beauty with semi-double, purple-pink flowers with red throats. It tops out at 10 to 16 feet tall but only grows 2 to 3 feet across, so it's a good choice for narrow spaces.
Rose of Sharon 'Lavender Chiffon' rose of Sharon is striking with its semi-double, light purple petals marked with red veins. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall, so it can be used as a small tree; just leave the central leader and remove the other branches.
Rose of Sharon 'White Chiffon' rose of Sharon is a fine choice for a moon garden, where its pure white blooms, when planted with other light-colored flowers and foliage, will reflect the moonlight. It matures at 6 to 8 feet tall.
Rose of Sharon‘Blue Satin' Chiffon has nearly true-blue petals set off by yellow stamens and splashes of red in the flowers' throats. This nearly seedless variety is sometimes sold as 'Azurri Blue Satin' and reaches 8 to 12 feet in height.

Rose of Sharon Common Pests/Diseases

Rose of Sharon (Althea Shrub) is susceptible to flower bud drop, which happens when soil moisture levels fluctuate widely. Regular watering helps prevent this. Leaf spot, a common fungal disease that affects althea, can be treated with a sulfur plant fungicide. Sulfur fungicides are available as a fine powder, which you dust over the leaves. You can also mix the dust with water at a rate of 3 tablespoons per 1 gallon of water and apply it with a garden sprayer. Apply the dust or spray every 10 to 14 days, as needed. Althea is relatively pest-resistant but it is sometimes bothered by aphids or spider mites. To control the pests, spray the plant with a ready-to-use insecticidal soap spray until all leaf surfaces are covered. Repeat every seven to 10 days, until the infestation is under control. Neither fungicides nor insecticidal soap should be used when temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or when the sun is shining directly on the plant. Wear eye protection, protective gloves, long sleeves, long pants and sturdy shoes when applying garden chemicals.

Rose of Sharon Design Tips

Create a wall of blooms by planting several rose of Sharon shrubs in a straight line. Space the shrubs at least 6 feet apart. The shrubs will fill in the empty space as they grow. You can use the shrubs to form a living privacy fence or as a backdrop to shorter plants.
Plant three rose of Sharon shrubs in a triangular pattern to form a focal point in the landscape. Choose shrubs with the same color blooms for a uniform appearance. Mulch around the rose of Sharon for a more finished look.
Add a rose of Sharon tree to an existing flower bed to add height. Train the shrub into tree form by eliminating all but the center trunk. Prune the canopy to about 2 feet from the ground. Keep the tree pruned each winter so the canopy blooms in the spring.
Bring color to hard-to-cultivate areas of the landscape with a potted rose of Sharon. Choose a colorful pot that is deep and has good drainage holes. You can set the potted plants on patios, decks or beside pools. This versatile shrub grows just about anywhere.

Rose of Sharon Companion Plants

Nearly any will work, but the following perennials are especially complementary when used for rose of Sharon companion plants:
Purple coneflower (Echinacea)
Phlox (Phlox)
Oriental lilies (Lilium asiatic)
Blue globe thistle (Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow')
Lavender (Lavendula)