Hibiscus syriacus
Common name:
Rose of Sharon
Shrub Althea
Pronunciation:
hi-BIS-kus si-ri-A-kus
Family:
Malvaceae
Genus:
Type:
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon:
No
- Deciduous shrub/tree, 8-12 ft (2.4-4.5 m), upright vase. Leaves alternate, simple, 5-10 cm long, 3-lobed and coarsely toothed, rounded teeth, three prominent veins; petiole 5-15 mm long. Many cultivars with flower color ranging from white to red to purple (5-10 cm across); flowers solitary, short stalked. Fruit, a 5-valved brown capsule, persists through winter.
- Full sun to part shade, grows in most soils, except those extremely wet or dry. Acid/alkaline adaptable. Prefers hot weather and does best in well-drained soils supplemented with organic material (e.g., peat moss). Valuable for late season flowers.
- Hardy to USDA Zone 5 Native to China and India, but not Syria as Linnaeus believed and hence the name, syriacus.
- Many selections are available that differ in flower color as well as a few with variegated foliage.
- Oregon State Univ. campus: entrance to Milam Auditorium
Click image to enlarge
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plant habit, before and at flowering
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leaves
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plant habit, flowering
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plant habit, flowering
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flower
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flowers
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flowers, double
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fruit and seeds
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plant habit, fall
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winter twigs, buds
