The Sharon rose is a hibiscus plant or tiny tree that produces spectacular red, white, pink, light blue, and lilac blooms. Since it produces lovely flowers in late summer when few bushes are flowering, many gardeners adore this blossoming plant. Rose of Sharon plants are also extremely simple to care for and can withstand most winters. As a privacy hedge or foundation shrub, Rose of Sharon is a fantastic choice.
The Sharon hibiscus deciduous rose isn’t a rose, but a member of the mallow family Malvaceae, despite its name. Chinese hibiscus, Althea tree, Korean rose, and rose mallow are some of the other popular names for the Sharon rose. The rose of Sharon got its botanical name from the fact that it was found in Syrian gardens, as did the Hibiscus syriacus.
The flowering plant, on the other hand, comes from China and the Far East. You’ll learn about growing and caring for rose of Sharon bushes in this article. You’ll also discover why this tough variety of hibiscus thrives in so many gardens.
Rose of Sharon (Althea Plant) Overview
Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is one of the most widespread garden shrubs in the world, according to certain investigations. The Sharon blooming rose bushes are so popular because they can tolerate drought, insufficient watering, heat, humid weather, and poor air quality. If you’re looking for colorful shrubs, a small blooming tree, or a privacy hedge in the summer, Hibiscus syriacus is an excellent addition to any garden.
What does rose of Sharon look like?
The Sharon rose resembles a little bushy tree, hence it’s also known as the Althea tree. It’s a shrub, nonetheless. By the end of May, the Sharon Rose leaves develop, followed by blooms in August. As a hedge or foundation shrub, or to add color to gardens in late summer and early autumn, gardeners grow the Sharon rose.
Hardy Hibiscus syriacus shrub branches grow upright and may be transformed into huge lovely garden plants using the right trimming. Sharon trees may reach a height of 10–15 feet (3.5 m) and be found growing wild. Hedges formed by training these deciduous shrubs may grow between 5 and 8 feet tall (1.5 and 2.5 meters).
Rose of Sharon Flowers
Rose of Sharon’s flowers are without a doubt the most gorgeous. Thanks to their lovely blossoms, these late bloomers provide gardens with a shot of white, red, purple. The rose of Sharon blooms resemble crepe paper in appearance, as do most other varieties of flowering hibiscus plants.
Single flowers with a protruding stamen that resemble trumpets are known as hibiscus cultivar flowers. Sharon rose plants with doubled blooms produce lilac, pink, white, or purple bushy blooms in addition to the standard varieties.
Rose of Sharon blooms are lovely, but they only last a day or two and aren’t suited for cutting. You can, however, put shoots with mature buds in a vase of water where they may bloom if you want to use rose of Sharon cuttings indoors. In the spring or late fall after they have bloomed, the finest way to ensure the greatest amount of blossoms on a Sharon bush is to trim it heavily.
Varieties of Hibiscus Syriacus (With Pictures and Names)
Between August and October, rose of Sharon bushes bloom in a variety of shapes and sizes. Hibiscus shrubs placed strategically in your garden can provide gorgeous color and privacy. The blooms of the following rose of Sharon cultivars are described:
White Chiffon – Rose of Sharon
Chiffon hibiscus shrubs produce a variety of colors of flowers, and there are several different types. The White Chiffon produces trails 4″ to 5″ (10 to 12 cm) in diameter with double blooms of beautiful white petals and is a popular variety. Sharon chiffon rose plants with other colors or varieties produce pink, lavender, or multicolored blooms.
The abundant foliage and long-lasting flowers of these Sharon rose bushes have made them popular. Blue Chiffon, with double blooms that are notably gorgeous, is another popular type of Sharon rose variety.
Aphrodite Althea – Hibiscus Syriacus
Sharon’s rose variety, the Aphrodite, produces pink blooms in a range of colors. These Althea hibiscus trees grow to be around 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall and make excellent specimen plants. Pink blossoms with a crimson center appear on Aphrodite hibiscus bushes.
Minerva – Rose of Sharon
This hibiscus shrub produces an stunning display of lavender blooms, and it is also known as Minerva Althea. The stamen of each blossom is surrounded by a deep red color, making it stand out. The upright growth of this hardy hibiscus plant makes it suited for hedge or train trimming to create a Rose of Sharon tree.
Hibiscus Syriacus Oiseau Bleu
The cultivar of Sharon shrub, which yields lovely blue or violet blossoms (known as Blue Bird), is very popular. These flowers feature a protruding white stamen with a purple heart, much as many hibiscus blooms do. From the middle of summer through the end of autumn, this Sharon rose blooms. Due to its thick foliage, it’s frequently employed as a flowering hedge.
Rose Mallow – Hibiscus Syriacus Duc de Brabant
By the end of summer, this upright Sharon shrub rose produces vivid pink and crimson blooms. This hardy hibiscus cultivar produces leaves in April, and it will continue to bloom until late autumn, when the leaves fall. This woody shrub, like other rose of Sharon types, can withstand temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C).
Antong Two Lil’ Kim – Hibiscus Syriacus
This is a Sharon rose dwarf cultivar that thrives in hot and poorly drained conditions alike. It’s simple to cultivate and blooms profusely. Flowers with 5 huge petals and a contrasting center are produced by the rose of Sharon bush. White flowers with a deep burgundy center are the most common kind of bloom on this dwarf hibiscus shrub.
From mid-summer until late fall, this Sharon variety blooms. Sharon’s dwarf rose reaches heights of 3 to 5 feet (1.5 to 1.5 meters). This shrub is also easy to grow from cuttings, so it’s a good choice for beginners.
How to Grow and Care For Rose of Sharon Bush
Since they tolerate difficult circumstances like frost, drought, heat, and dry soil, all types of Hibiscus syriacus are simple to grow. Rose of Sharon plants, on the other hand, prefer moisture-rich soil that drains quickly. Hibiscus shrubs may also be grown from rose Sharon seedlings. Sharon bushes produce a lot of seed pods, which are easy to grow. The rose of Sharon is considered an invasive plant because of this.
When to Plant Rose of Sharon
Planting rose of Sharon shrubs in the spring or autumn is recommended if you’re adding them to your garden. Plant them 6 to 10 feet (1.8 – 3 m) apart, depending on your landscaping objectives, because they are a effective hedge plant. By planting the seeds outdoors around 12 weeks before the last frost date, you may also grow rose of Sharon from seeds. They should be watered deeply and positioned in bright locations.
How to Care for Althea Plant (Rose of Sharon)
To ensure proper foliage and a lot of blooms, let’s take a look at the best ways to care for your “Rosa Sharon.”
Light requirements for Rose of Sharon growth
Most settings are suitable for Rose of Sharon shrubs, although they flourish best in full sun. Fungal infections caused by excess moisture can be avoided by planting althea plants some distance from shady spots.
The best soil for growing rose of Sharon bush
Make sure that the soil is kept moist and well drained to ensure healthy growth. Rose of Sharon hibiscus plants should be watered frequently to keep them growing well, even though they can withstand drought and heat. In acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5, Hibiscus bushes flourish.
Ideal temperature conditions
When it gets full sun and occasional shade, the rose of Sharon will bloom beautifully with colorful flowers.
The best type of fertilizer to encourage rose of Sharon plant growth
Working in organic compost around the roots is the finest strategy to supply your althea bush with the nutrients it requires. A yearly layer of compost should be adequate for healthy growth. Rose of Sharon bushes need high potassium, medium nitrogen levels, and low phosphorus if you choose to buy a commercial fertilizer.
Watering your Althea plant for best growth
You should water your Sharon rose every day throughout the summer. If the weather is particularly hot, you may need to water it twice a day. watering is particularly important if you’re planting your Althea shrub in a container.
Rose of Sharon thrives when it gets enough water, even though it is a tough plant that can survive drought. Place a 1-inch (2.5 cm) layer of mulch around the stem to help increase soil moisture for your Hibiscus syriacus shrub. Overwatering your plant, on the other hand, may cause root rot, so avoid it.
Rose of Sharon care tips for winter
When the temperature drops below zero, the Sharon tree or shrub’s hardy rose will survive. Late fall and early winter are usually when shrubs lose their blooms. In colder climates, the plant will die back and regrow in the spring when it is dormant. Cover the root ball with plenty of mulch to protect your hibiscus rose throughout the winter. The roots will be allowed to regrow in the spring if they are protected now.
When and How to Prune Rose of Sharon Plants
Early spring, when the temperature is warming, is the best time to prune a Sharon rose. This may encourage the development of additional branches, resulting in a greater quantity of blooms. During the winter, you can also trim back the branches of your Sharon rose. When the plant blooms in late summer, this helps to encourage larger flowers.
Prune branches about a quarter-inch (half-centimeter) above new leaf nodes when trimming in the early spring. In late summer and early fall, if you prune the rose of Sharon shrub branches to just 2 or 3 buds, you’ll notice bigger blooms on your plant. You should cut off dead blooms and extract seed pods around October so that rose of Sharon may be an invasive plant.
It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that certain Sharon rose types, such as White Chiffon, Aphrodite, and Minerva, are sterile and don’t produce seedlings.
How to Propagate Rose of Sharon Plants
Around the end of winter, you can germinate rose of Sharon seeds. Cover the seed with soil that is approximately half an inch (1.5 cm) deep and wet it thoroughly.
Transplanting Rose of Sharon
The issue of transplanting your Sharon rose may arise depending on where you put it or if it is housed in a container. Your Sharon bush rose might have outgrown its pot or need to be in a brighter location. Never move your Sharon rose in the winter or summer, as a general rule of thumb. Rose transplanting during this time of year can damage or kill plants if they are not handled carefully.
Since it has time to establish healthy root systems before new growth, the best time to transplant this hibiscus shrub is in the fall. Dig up as much of the root system as possible without injuring the Sharon rose plants when transplanting them. Place the root ball in a similar depth in a hole in its new position. To retain moisture, apply a layer of mulch over the root ball and then surround with potting soil.
Common Problems with Hibiscus Syriacus Plants
Rose of Sharon shrubs and trees are rarely afflicted by any problems. The majority of the plant’s species are resistant to disease. They are also excellent urban garden selections because they continue to grow even in difficult circumstances. The Japanese beetle is the most frequent pest that will affect a Sharon rose plant. These garden pests emerge as adults from the soil in June and may attack Sharon shrubs before they have a chance to bloom.
Shake these beetles off into a vessel containing soapwater to exterminate them if you find them on your plant. Diatomaceous earth (DE) can also be used as a nontoxic but effective insecticide around the base of your Sharon rose. For optimal results, apply once a week. Remember that since DE isn’t effective when the soil is wet, reapply the powder after it has dried out following watering or rain.
Where to Buy Rose of Sharon Plants
You may purchase rose of Sharon shrubs to add a splash of color to your garden or to create a hedge with flowers. Hibiscus shrubs with pink, white, blue, lavender, or red blooms are available from a variety of online retailers. Some cultivars of the shrub have already been developed into a Sharon tree rose that is ready to be sown in your garden. Rose of Sharon hibiscus plants are also available at most local plant nurseries or garden centers.
It’s helpful to evaluate your landscaping objectives and the sort of bloom you want in July through September before purchasing a Sharon hibiscus rose. Some blooming shrubs are suitable against a wall, while others may be used for privacy hedges. Some rose of Sharon plants are lovely as individual specimen plants.