Hibiscus is genus of the Malvaceae or Mallow Family. The genus consists of 4 main groups of species: annuals, herbaceous perennials, hardy shrubs, and tropical shrubs & Trees.

Rose of Sharon, Shrub Althea is of the group known as hardy shrubs and can tolerate winters as far north as zone 5. It is a very ornamental diciduous shrub, blooming from late June through late September. Some of the literature published about Rose of Sharon states that it grows 10 to 12 ft. tall. I have been growing the variety shown above for 15 years and can honerstly state that mine is over 16 ft. tall when left unpruned. There are varieties of it that have various colored flowers including: pink, red, bluish purple, and white, which generally has smaller flowers and does not grow quite as tall. The seeds we offer are of the specimen shown above; in fact they are the actual plants from which we collect the seeds in late autumn. The color seems to change depending on the light or the time of day. Generally it appears to be a violet-pink changing to burgundy toward the center, yet on overcast days it may appear more violet-blue to burgundy.

Rose of Sharon thrives best in well-drained soil. It can grow in full sun where it will flower in great abundance or it does fairly well in partial sun or filtered light, where it may not have quite the profusion of flowers. The seed pods will begin opeing up and releasing the seeds in late autumn and by spring there are hundreds of young seedlings which must be pulled up to avoid an overgrowth of shrubs. They are easiest to pull up by the roots after a rain, and when they are 6 to 12 inches tall. They are easily transplanted to other areas of the garden or to containers. Rose of Sharon can be left unpruned and grown in multiples as a hedgerow, or it can be grown as a single specimen with considerable pruning and shaping. I have done both with this specie on my small property and cannot really say which I prefer. It makes a beautiful small tree by itself, but it makes a beautiful hedgerow along walk ways and as a background behind my fish pond.

I have had absolutely no problems with my Rose of Sharon, other than keeping the seedlings pulled up. each spring and summer. I have heard that aphids can cause serious infestations. This problem can be brought under control by spraying with an insectivideal soap.

I know of very few plants that are so so versatile, so easy to start from seed, easy to transplant, and fairly quick to flower - 3 to 4 years. I know of people growing them outdoors without problems as far north as zone 5 in central Ohio, and I have seen them growing in the tropical zone 10 of Costa Rica. It can even be grown indoors in containers if enough light is provided.

© 1999 Michael King