'I AM THE ROSE OF SHARON ... ' (HEAVENLY HIBISCUS)

"I am the Rose of Sharon,

and the Lily of the Valleys."

- Song of Solomon 2. 1-17

Rose of Sharon

(Hibiscus syriacus)

also called shrub althaea

GENERAL INFORMATION

Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus

Pronunciation: high-BISS-kuss seer-ee-AY-kuss

Common name(s): Rose-of-Sharon, Shrub-Althea

Family: Malvaceae USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 9A

Origin: not native to North America

Uses: container or above-ground planter; near a deck or patio; trainable as a standard; specimen; no proven urban tolerance

Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

DESCRIPTION

Height: 8 to 12 feet

Spread: 4 to 10 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more

or less identical crown forms

Crown shape: upright

Crown density: open

Growth rate: slow

Texture: fine