When Does a Rose of Sharon Bush Bloom?

The lovely Rose of Sharon, also known as Althea and hardy hibiscus, is a member of the hibiscus family that can be grown as a shrub or a small tree.

Hardiness

The Rose of Sharon is hardy from zones 5 through 8, although it can sometimes be grown in zone 4 if it is in a sheltered area.

Growth Habits

Rose of Sharon can grow between 9 and 12 feet tall and between 6 to 10 feet wide.

Blooming

This shrub or tree blooms in late summer to early fall, with big, showy blossoms that range from white and light pink, to deep reds and purples. The blooms often have a darker color ring at the center. They can be single or double blooms with a pronounced stamen, and the petals usually have a scalloped edge that gives them a ruffled appearance.

Preferences

Rose of Sharon tolerates full sun to partial shade and likes moist but well-drained soil.

Care For A Rose Of Sharon Bush

Although it doesn't produce the dinner plate-size flowers of some tropical hibiscus, rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) makes up for that loss with hardiness, easy-care growing requirements and lovely hollyhock-like flowers with delicate, ruffled petals. Given the right care, rose of Sharon can grow up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9., Give your plant a deep soaking about once a week during the growing season and more if you have an extremely hot spell in summer. Provide an application in late winter or early spring with a slow-release, granular fertilizer or about once a month during the growing season with an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer. Because rose of Sharon grows slowly and blooms on new stems, it doesn't require much pruning unless you want to control its size, change its shape or remove damaged branches. Remove branches growing out-of-place that detract from the overall shape of the shrub at any time.