Hibiscus syriacus
Hibiscus syriacus
Rose of Sharon
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Common Names
Rose of SharonShrubby AltheaSyrian Ketmia
Context
nativeRegion
East Asia (China, Korea, India).
usdaZones
5-9
companionPlants
Spiraea, Hydrangea, Daylily (Hemerocallis), Russian Sage (Perovskia)
culturalUses
National flower of South Korea (mugunghwa); used ornamentally for hedges, specimens, and floral displays.
Care
Care Requirements
LightFull sun to partial shade; prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
WateringModerate; water regularly during growing season but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. More drought-tolerant once established.
SoilWell-draining soil; tolerant of a range of soils but thrives in slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.5).
FertilizerLight, balanced fertilizer in spring; avoid excessive feeding to prevent leggy growth.
HumidityAverage household humidity; adaptable to most outdoor conditions.
TemperaturePrefers warm temperatures; hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and tolerates winter dormancy.
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitDeciduous shrub or small tree, upright and multi-stemmed.
Mature Size2-4 m tall and 1-2.5 m wide (6-12 ft tall, 3-8 ft wide).
Growth RateModerate growth rate.
BloomingBlooms mid-summer to fall with large, showy flowers (blue, white, pink, lavender varieties).
DormancyWinter deciduous; regrows in spring.
Propagation
Methodsseed, softwood cuttings, semi-ripe cuttings
DifficultyEasy with cuttings; seeds require stratification.
Best SeasonSpring or early summer for cuttings; fall or winter for seed sowing after cold stratification.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningPrune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage blooming.
RepottingNot typically required outdoors; container-grown plants benefit from repotting every 2-3 years.
Pests & DiseasesSusceptible to aphids, Japanese beetles, spider mites, leaf spots, and fungal diseases; generally resilient.
ToxicityNon-toxic to humans and pets.
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