Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000727
11/12/99

Hibiscus syriacus--Rose-of-Sharon, Althea, Shrub Althea


Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Height: 12 ft Spread: 10 ft Form: upright
Type: deciduous shrub
Annual Growth Rate: 12 to 18 inches
Flowers: White, red, purple, blue, pink

Comments: Rose-of-Sharon is valued for large flowers
produced (Vis. 16) in mid-to late summer when few other
shrubs bloom. The plant grows in sun or partial shade and
in any soil. The growth rate ranges from slow to moderate,
and transplanting is easy. The single or double flowers are
in shades of red, pink, white and purple, depending on the
cultivar. Peak bloom takes place in August. Prune in
late winter or early spring. Frequent severe pruning
gives fewer but larger flowers; no or little pruning gives
many small flowers. Young plants are not as hardy as
older plants.

Cultivars:
'Amplissimus' - Double, red flowers.
'Aphrodite' - Dark pink flowers (Vis. 1) with a dark red
eye.
'Ardens' - Double, rose-purple flowers with a maroon
blotch.
'Banner' - Red and white flowers.
'Blue Bird' - Single, sky-blue flowers (Vis. 2) about 5
inches across.
'Blushing Bride' - Double, rich pink flowers (Vis. 3).
'Bulls Eye' - Large, single, rose-red flowers with a
red eye.
'Candy Stripe' - Single flowers that are white and pink
with red stripes.
'Coelestris' - Single, blue flowers.
'Collie Mullens' - Double, purple-lavender blooms.
'Diana' - Single, pure white flowers (Vis. 4).
'Freedom' - Semi-double, rose pink flowers (Vis. 5).
'Hamabo' - Single pink or pinkish lavender flowers with
a crimson eye (Vis. 6). Color tends to be two-tone or
mottled.
'Helene' - Large, single white flowers with a dark red
eye (Vis. 7).
'Jeanne D'Arc' - Double white flowers (Vis. 8).
'Lady Stanley' - Double, pink flowers.
'Lucy' - Double, dark red flowers (Vis. 9).
'Minerva' - Single, lavender flowers are overcast with
pink and have a dark red eye (Vis. 10).
'Morning Star' - Double, red and white striped flowers.
'Paeoniflorus' - Double, violet-pink flowers (Vis. 11).
'Pink Giant' - Single pink flowers (Vis. 12) are produced
on an upright plant.
'Purple Sky' - Single purple flowers with a red star
eye.
'Red Heart' - Single white flowers with a scarlet
center (Vis. 13).
'Rosie Red' - Double, rose-red flowers.
'Royal Purple' - Semi-double, purple flowers with a red
eye.
'Rubis' - Single, red flowers (Vis. 14).
'Russian Violet' - Single, purple flowers have darker
center.
'Sky Blue' - Large, single, blue flowers.
'Woodbridge' - Single, rose-pink flowers with a red
eye (Vis. 15).
'W. R. Smith' - Single, white flowers.

References for Cultivars: Lake County Nursery 1999, Bailey
Nurseries 1999, Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999, Monrovia
Nursery Company 1997, Spring Meadow Nursery 1999, Weston
Nurseries 1999, J. Frank Schmidt and Son 1999, Wayside
Gardens 1999, Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Princeton Nurseries
1999, Berryhill Nurseries 1999, Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee
Farms 1999, Willoway Nurseries 1999, Carlton Plants 1999.


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