Here in the Northeast, we’re expecting temperatures to reach the 90s today. My outdoor grounds crew is working very hard to keep all the gardens well watered and looking their best.
Many of you are familiar with my long and winding pergola garden. Over the weekend, I shared photos of one side - filled with hundreds of bright orange tiger lilies. On the other side, I grow Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus - upright deciduous shrubs that produce colorful, cup-shaped flowers in summer and fall. Rose of Sharon is valued for its tight form and large blossoms in shades of blue, lavender, pink, and white - providing a lovely show of color when few other plants are in bloom.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, is also known as althaea or althea. And contrary to its common name, the plant is not a rose at all, but a member of the Malvaceae or “mallow” family native to Asia and India.
My Rose of Sharon shrubs are planted on the back side of my clematis pergola facing what I call my Party Lawn, where I love to entertain during summer.
Rose of Sharon shrubs can grow to about eight to 10 feet tall with a spread of four to six feet. When planting, be sure to space shrubs several feet apart, taking into consideration the expected size at maturity.
Blooms on these shrubs can range from light blue, white, pink to red, or lavender.
Here is a closeup of the buds. Rose of Sharon blooms are short-lived, but the shrub produces a lot of buds on its new growth, which provides prolific flowering. The leaves are also deeply-lobed and light to medium green in color.
I originally planted Rose of Sharon for these bluer shades, but I also love how they attract lots of butterflies and hummingbirds. These plantings have grown so nicely here in this location – providing a nice hedge and backdrop for other flowers along the pergola.
Rose of Sharon bears large trumpet-shaped flowers that have prominent yellow-tipped stamens.
Flowers range in size from three to five inches, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
The single or doubled flowers are often wavy-looking, giving the impression they’re made of delicate crepe paper.
Rose of Sharon prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
It also tolerates salt, heavy clay and a pH level between 3.7 to 7.3.
Rose of Sharon grows best in plant hardiness zones 5 through 9.
Here is double flower bloom in bright pink. Rose of Sharon is South Korea’s national flower. It is also called Rose Mallow in the United Kingdom and St. Joseph’s Rod in Italy.
As a heat-lover, this shrub is also prized by growers in the Southeast. In fact, Rose of Sharon is reasonably drought-tolerant.
This plant not only blooms later in the season but leafs out late as well, so don’t worry if the foliage does not appear quickly.
Fertilization should be done each spring and summer with an all-purpose formula. And prune in early spring to shape and reduce its size. Pruning the shrub back to two to three buds per branch in spring encourages larger flowers. of course, always remove dead, diseased, and injured branches at any time.
Do you know… every part of the Rose of Sharon is edible? Its leaves, blossoms and bark – it contains vitamin-C and Anthocyanins which are antioxidants.
Rose of Sharon shrubs are vigorous growers and hardy plants with few pest or disease issues.
If you choose to include Rose of Sharon in your garden, it should start blooming within one to two years.
My gardens are continuously evolving with unique and beautiful specimen plants and trees. I hope my gardens can inspire you to continue developing your beds every season. Share your gardening stories with me in the comments section below.
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Comments
You've been the inspiration for numerous "new gardeners" of all ages no matter if they admit it or not and I'm pretty sure about this my dear Martha.
I've plant the exact same gorgeous purple colour of hibiscus but mine is a different variety. It looks like rose, although the yellow one is exactly the same variety with yours.
What I also enjoy is the red Hibiscus herbal tea in winter (I purchase it from herb stores), which has kind of acidious taste but also has benefits for people with low blood pressure.
With respect
Despoina
DKPDFamily - Greece
Posted by: Despoina | August 6th, 2018 at 7:37 am
Love the info about Rose of Sharon- I brought 3 twigs back from my in-laws' yard in Cleveland ~1982. My father-in-law just pulled the 3ft. single stem out of the ground and I brought it back to CO in my suitcase with the roots wrapped in wet paper towel and plastic. My father-in-law thought I was nuts! I planted two different colors together. Now they are about 12 ft tall and need to be trimmed! The other was planted in shade and about the same height and 2 others shoots have sprung up nearby,1 a different color than the original bush. I love them!
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | August 6th, 2018 at 10:03 am
You are indeed a very inspiring woman/person/personality, Martha.
And, garden designing, and plant selection is only one distinctive part that’s visually available to strangers’ eyes to witness.
Hibiscus Syriacus or Rose of Sharon is a fine plant and how it creates a purple-blue-pink, high border that’s cheerful around your party area !
Years ago, I was able to grow Rose of Sharon from a very tiny twig I cut off from a fully-grown shrub. A week in water and it was ready to be rooted in a pot, and soon, it had a few buds and blooms which I remember photographing because I was proud of it as it seemed like a tiny success story. Istanbul was hot, and the weather must have had something to do with the speedy growth.
Your green open space is well-contained for joyful entertainments. Do you prefer kind-of-cool summer days or starlit night hours for your parties? So much beauty to take in for day-time entertainment while almost a fairy-tale of an ambience at night: lights, torches, candles, music, good food and good drinks to ensure guests are mingling and finding their own zen zones….
Thanks for sharing, Martha. I appreciate how much work and attention is provided by those involved for these gardens that you share with us.
Have a great and happy week!
Yildiz
Posted by: Yildiz | August 6th, 2018 at 11:09 am
My rose of sharon didn't bloom well this year. Perhaps because of lack of rain. We have a water ban where I live. Apparently your town does not have a water ban, you are fortunate! Alyhough I can't afford to water so much as my water bill would be too much.
Posted by: Sharon | August 6th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Martha, you continually amaze me with your passion and prowess for gardening. I realize you have great support from Ryan and your grounds crew, but I know you've loved it since a child with your Father being a big influence. My Father was a farmer and also a big influence on me with gardening and animals. His emphasis on treating animals humanely is something that's always stayed with me.
Your pergola area reminds me of The Secret Garden-it's absolutely magical. Do you have any crepe myrtles on your property? I find them gorgeous and they are in most every garden in the southeast. They aren't as easy to grow here in Missouri because our winters can be so harsh.
My gardening story presently is that I'm considering removing some hydrangeas I have on the northeast side of my home. For some reason they just aren't thriving as they have in previous years in spite of proper fertilizing.
I'm looking forward to more photos from your time in Maine! Belated Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Sara Stewart Wainwright | August 6th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
I know these flowers as Hybiscus & love them. They come in so many colors. I especially love the yellow ones but they are all beautiful. These are what commonly grow in tropical areas.
Posted by: Joy | August 6th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Amazing blooms and amazing post i cant wait so amazing vist this place
In the south, it is often referred to as the Confederate Rose. It has long been a staple in country gardens.
Posted by: Judith Peacock | August 7th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
The Rose of Sharon is stunning.
Posted by: Chris | August 8th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Hey there, Martha! I heard about the Rose of Sharon being edible, this very week! I heard from offthegriddougandstacy on YouTube. Then I looked up other sites to confirm it and of course, this was one of them. Stacy showed us how to stuff the blossoms with cream cheese and chives, dip in seasoned flour, a beaten egg and finally, she rolled them in sprouted bread crumbs. Baked at 375, 20 minutes! I immediately went outside knowing that my bush was blooming, picked about 16 blossoms and got to work! Yummmmmmy, was the result!!!! We enjoyed delicately crisp Rose of Sharon poppers, instead of jalapeno poppers!!!
This morning, I made an omelet filled with havarti cheese and topped off with crispy Rose of Sharon leaves. I heated them in a little butter until dry and crispy, finished them off with parmesan cheese (let the parm slightly brown)and Himalayan pink sea salt! I crumbled a few leaves on top of the omelet, and had whole leaves on the side! Twas a big hit! Lovvve, and well wishes in all your kitchen adventures! Thanks for your inspiration over the years, ???Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | June 11th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
I love knowing that all parts of the plant are edible and the nutrition. I'm working on making my garden to be full of varying plants and sources of nutrition and heing as well as beauty.
Posted by: Sherry | September 8th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
You've been the inspiration for numerous "new gardeners" of all ages no matter if they admit it or not and I'm pretty sure about this my dear Martha.
I've plant the exact same gorgeous purple colour of hibiscus but mine is a different variety. It looks like rose, although the yellow one is exactly the same variety with yours.
What I also enjoy is the red Hibiscus herbal tea in winter (I purchase it from herb stores), which has kind of acidious taste but also has benefits for people with low blood pressure.
With respect
Despoina
DKPDFamily - Greece
Posted by: Despoina | August 6th, 2018 at 7:37 am
Love the info about Rose of Sharon- I brought 3 twigs back from my in-laws' yard in Cleveland ~1982. My father-in-law just pulled the 3ft. single stem out of the ground and I brought it back to CO in my suitcase with the roots wrapped in wet paper towel and plastic. My father-in-law thought I was nuts! I planted two different colors together. Now they are about 12 ft tall and need to be trimmed! The other was planted in shade and about the same height and 2 others shoots have sprung up nearby,1 a different color than the original bush. I love them!
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | August 6th, 2018 at 10:03 am
You are indeed a very inspiring woman/person/personality, Martha.
And, garden designing, and plant selection is only one distinctive part that’s visually available to strangers’ eyes to witness.
Hibiscus Syriacus or Rose of Sharon is a fine plant and how it creates a purple-blue-pink, high border that’s cheerful around your party area !
Years ago, I was able to grow Rose of Sharon from a very tiny twig I cut off from a fully-grown shrub. A week in water and it was ready to be rooted in a pot, and soon, it had a few buds and blooms which I remember photographing because I was proud of it as it seemed like a tiny success story. Istanbul was hot, and the weather must have had something to do with the speedy growth.
Your green open space is well-contained for joyful entertainments. Do you prefer kind-of-cool summer days or starlit night hours for your parties? So much beauty to take in for day-time entertainment while almost a fairy-tale of an ambience at night: lights, torches, candles, music, good food and good drinks to ensure guests are mingling and finding their own zen zones….
Thanks for sharing, Martha. I appreciate how much work and attention is provided by those involved for these gardens that you share with us.
Have a great and happy week!
Yildiz
Posted by: Yildiz | August 6th, 2018 at 11:09 am
My rose of sharon didn't bloom well this year. Perhaps because of lack of rain. We have a water ban where I live. Apparently your town does not have a water ban, you are fortunate! Alyhough I can't afford to water so much as my water bill would be too much.
Posted by: Sharon | August 6th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Martha, you continually amaze me with your passion and prowess for gardening. I realize you have great support from Ryan and your grounds crew, but I know you've loved it since a child with your Father being a big influence. My Father was a farmer and also a big influence on me with gardening and animals. His emphasis on treating animals humanely is something that's always stayed with me.
Your pergola area reminds me of The Secret Garden-it's absolutely magical. Do you have any crepe myrtles on your property? I find them gorgeous and they are in most every garden in the southeast. They aren't as easy to grow here in Missouri because our winters can be so harsh.
My gardening story presently is that I'm considering removing some hydrangeas I have on the northeast side of my home. For some reason they just aren't thriving as they have in previous years in spite of proper fertilizing.
I'm looking forward to more photos from your time in Maine! Belated Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Sara Stewart Wainwright | August 6th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
I know these flowers as Hybiscus & love them. They come in so many colors. I especially love the yellow ones but they are all beautiful. These are what commonly grow in tropical areas.
Posted by: Joy | August 6th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Amazing blooms and amazing post i cant wait so amazing vist this place
Posted by: Saurabh | August 7th, 2018 at 7:03 am
In the south, it is often referred to as the Confederate Rose. It has long been a staple in country gardens.
Posted by: Judith Peacock | August 7th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
The Rose of Sharon is stunning.
Posted by: Chris | August 8th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Hey there, Martha! I heard about the Rose of Sharon being edible, this very week! I heard from offthegriddougandstacy on YouTube. Then I looked up other sites to confirm it and of course, this was one of them. Stacy showed us how to stuff the blossoms with cream cheese and chives, dip in seasoned flour, a beaten egg and finally, she rolled them in sprouted bread crumbs. Baked at 375, 20 minutes! I immediately went outside knowing that my bush was blooming, picked about 16 blossoms and got to work! Yummmmmmy, was the result!!!! We enjoyed delicately crisp Rose of Sharon poppers, instead of jalapeno poppers!!!
This morning, I made an omelet filled with havarti cheese and topped off with crispy Rose of Sharon leaves. I heated them in a little butter until dry and crispy, finished them off with parmesan cheese (let the parm slightly brown)and Himalayan pink sea salt! I crumbled a few leaves on top of the omelet, and had whole leaves on the side! Twas a big hit! Lovvve, and well wishes in all your kitchen adventures! Thanks for your inspiration over the years, ???Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | June 11th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
I love knowing that all parts of the plant are edible and the nutrition. I'm working on making my garden to be full of varying plants and sources of nutrition and heing as well as beauty.
Posted by: Sherry | September 8th, 2022 at 1:18 pm