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Rose of Sharon is botanically known as Hibiscus Syricacus. It has also been called the Althaea shrub. Rose of Sharon are deciduous, upright growing and columnar shaped bushes. They grow to a height of 6-12 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide and are relatively late to break dormancy but well worth the wait. The leaves are bright green, rather small, only 1- 2 1 /2 inches long and have rough edges or toothed lobes. They burst into bloom in mid to late summer until frost.

Rose of Sharon comes in either single, semi-double or double flower forms. The flowers are 3-4 inched wide in the single and semi-double form varieties and 2 1 /2 -3 inches across for the double blossoms. To encourage bigger blooms late winter pruning is recommended cutting back to two buds on each branch tip. The colors range from pure white, clear pink, rose, purple, mauve, bright red, lavender and soft violet many with contrasting throats and eyes for intriguing combinations.

Rose of Sharon is a relation of the tropical Hibiscus and the Hardy Hibiscus Moscheutos, the Rose Mallow as it is more commonly known. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that the flowers resemble these tropical cousins if not in size then in shape and form. They both have long protruding stamen and unfortunately, little if any scent. The blossoms of the Rose of Sharon are considerably smaller and less showy as compared to its cousins but the flowers are produced rather abundantly which makes up for size. While this is strictly opinion, the single flower form is what most people consider the prettiest and most desirable of these plants. The flowers open wider, and the contrasting colors either in the eyes or throats is rather striking. If that's nothing to you then consider that Hummingbirds love them.

Rose of Sharon are super easy to grow with little required to keep them looking their best. They like heat though they are rather hardy doing quite well in zones 4-9 and they are tolerant of drought. They can and do grow in many different soil types but prefer sandy, well draining and rich loam. They don't take well to clay but are even tolerant of that if enough organic mulch is used around their roots on a continual basis to improve the soil. In the coldest regions a thick mulch is always beneficial to protect the roots from ground thawing and heaving.

Rose of Sharon like to be placed away from prevailing winds and may require a bit of protection when plants are very young. They grow compact and upright when young. As they age,

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