View source for Hibiscus syriacus

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Malvaceae
|genus=Hibiscus
|species=syriacus
|common_name=Rose of Sharon, Shrub Althea, Rose of Althea
|habit=shrub
|Min ht metric=cm
|Max ht box=12
|Max ht metric=ft
|Max wd box=6
|Max wd metric=ft
|origin=China to India
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=sun
|water=moist
|features=deciduous, flowers, drought tolerant
|flower_season=late summer, early fall, mid fall
|flowers=purple, pink, white, single, double
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=5
|max_zone=9
|sunset_zones=2-21, 26 (north part), 28-41
|image=OiseauBleu1UME.JPG
|image_width=180
|image_caption=Hibiscus syriacus 'Oiseau Bleu'
}}
{{Inc|
Hibiscus syriacus, Linn. (Althaea frutex, Hort.). Shrubby Althea. Rose Of Sharon. Figs. 1828, 1835. Shrub, 6-12 ft. high, sometimes almost tree-like, much branched, nearly or quite glabrous: lvs. rather small, short-petioled, strongly 3-ribbed, triangular- or rhombic-ovate, lower ones mostly 3-lobed and with many rounded teeth or notches: bracteoles linear, 6 or 7: fls. solitary in the axils on the young wood (late in the season), short-peduncled, somewhat bell-shaped, 2-3 in. long, rose or purple, usually darker at the base; sepala ovate-lanceolate, exceeding the bracteoles: pod short, splitting into 5 valves. Asia. B.M. 83. R.H. 1845:133 (var. speciosus, with double fls.). Gn. 75, p. 604. J.H. 111.55:473. G.W. 13, p. 65. G.Z. 24:97. J.F. 4: pi. 370. G.7:149; 11:167. F.E. 25:459; 32:127.—One of the commonest of ornamental shrubs, and hardy in Ontario; commonly known as althea. It is immensely variable in character of fls., the colors ranging from blue-purple to violet-red, flesh-color and white; also full double forms. There are forms with variegated lvs. Colored plates of some of the double-fld. forms will be found in Gn. 52:504. The species thrives in any good soil. Prop, by seeds, by cuttings of ripened wood taken in the fall, and named varieties by grafting on the common seedling stock. Nativity uncertain, out probably not Syrian, as Linnaeus supposed: probably native in China. To this species belongs the trade name H. leopoldii. There are many horticultural forms of this interesting late summer-flowering shrub. Var. meblianii, Hort., is a variegated-lvd. form of somewhat dwarf like). and single fls. 3-4 in. across, lavender, and purple-blotched. Other trade names that belong with H. syriacus are: amplissimus, double, purple-pink with carmine center; anemonaeflorus; atrarubens; bicolor, semi- double, white with dark center; camellisaeflorus; caelestis; elegantissimus; leooldii; pspmiflbrus; purpureus; ranuneulaeflorus; ruber; speciosus; totus albus; violaceus.
}}
A [[deciduous]] [[shrub]] growing to 3m by 2m at a medium rate.

It is in [[flower]] in September, and the seeds ripen in October{{pfaf}}. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects{{pfaf}}.

==Cultivation==
[[File:2007-07-09Hibiscus syriacus01.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:Hibiscus-syriacus-street-tree.JPG|thumb]]
Easily grown{{SSN}}, the plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil{{pfaf}}. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils{{pfaf}}. It also prefers summer heat and can tolerate some drought{{SSN}}. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun. It requires moist soil{{pfaf}}.

Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun{{pfaf200}}. Succeeds in any soil of good or moderate quality{{pfaf11}}. Dislikes shade or badly drained soils{{pfaf11}}. Plants grow best with their roots in cool moist soil and their tops in a hot sunny position. This species is hardy to about -20°c{{pfaf200}} but plants only really succeed in the warmer counties of Britain because of their late flowering habit{{pfaf184}}. When planted in colder areas of the country, they will need protection for the first few winters{{pfaf200}}. The flowers only open in sunny weather{{pfaf219}}. Plants rarely require pruning{{pfaf219}}, though they respond well to pruning and trimming and this is best carried out in the spring or just after flowering{{pfaf219}}. Plants are late coming into leaf, usually around the end of May or early June{{pfaf182}}. A very ornamental plant{{pfaf1}}, there are many named varieties{{pfaf182}}.

===Propagation===
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Some reports say that the seed can be sown in situ outside and that it gives a good rate of germination{{pfaf78}}, {{pfaf80}}, {{pfaf113}}. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Good percentage{{pfaf113}}. Cuttings of mature wood, early autumn in a frame. Good percentage{{pfaf113}}. Layering in mid summer to early autumn{{pfaf1}}.

===Pests and diseases===
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==Cultivars==
*'Albus' - Flowers pure white. single. 4in.{{SCH}}.
*'Anemoniflora' ('Paeoniflora') - Flowers red with deeper red center.  Semi-double.{{SCH}}.
*'Ardens' - Flowers purple.  Double.{{SCH}}.
*'Blue Bird' ('Oiseau Bleu') - Flowers blue with dark red eye.  Single.{{SCH}}.
*'Blushing bride' - Flowers pink, double.{{SCH}}.
*'Boule de Feu' - Flowers purple-pink. Double. {{SCH}}.
*'Coelestis' - Flowers violet-blue with red-purple center. Single. {{SCH}}.
*'Collie Mullens' - Flowers purple-lavender.  Double. {{SCH}}.
*'Lady Stanley' ('Elegantissimus') - Flowers white, flushed pink going to purple-red center. {{AHS}}.
*'Lucy' - Flowers dark rose, with red center.  Double. {{SCH}}.
*'Meehanii' ('Variegatus') - Flowers lilac-mauve, maroon eye. Leaves have cream margins. {{AHS}}.
*'Pink Giant' - Flowers pink with dark red center.  Large. {{AHS}}.
*'Purpurea' - Flowers purple with red center.  Semi-double. {{SCH}}.
*'Red Heart' - Flowers white with red center. {{SCH}}.
*'William R. Smith' - Flowers white, to 4in (10cm). {{AHS}}.
*'Woodbridge' - Flowers dark rose with red center.  Single. To 4in (10cm){{SCH}}.

More recent introductions bloom for longer periods, and set few/no seedpods.  They are sterile triploids.
*'Aphrodite' - Flowers red-pink with red eye.  {{SCH}}.
*'Diana' - Flowers all-white. To 5 in (13cm). {{SCH}}.
*'Helene' - Flowers white with dark-red center. {{SCH}}.
*'Minerva' - Flowers lavender-pink with red eye, ruffled petals,{{SCH}} 4-5 in (10-13cm). Reaches 8ft (2.5m) high and 7ft (2.2m) wide{{AHS}}.

==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
<gallery>
Image:Hsyriacus.jpg| 'Hamabo'
Image:Hibiscus syriacus Blue bird.jpg|'Oiseau Bleu' (syn. 'Blue Bird')
Image:OiseauBleu1UME.JPG|'Oiseau Bleu' (syn. 'Blue Bird')
Image:Rose of sharon 2.JPG|'Red Heart'
Image:Beli-hibiskus.jpg|'Red Heart'
Image:HybiscusSyriacus LadyStanley RoseOfSharon.jpg | 'Lady Stanley'
Image:2007-07-09Hibiscus syriacus14.jpg|
Image:2007-07-09Hibiscus syriacus04.jpg|
Image:2007-07-09Hibiscus syriacus03.jpg|
Image:Hibiscus syriacus RB1.JPG|
Image:HibiscusSyriacus2.jpg|
Image:HibiscusSyriacus9.jpg|
Image:Hibiscus bleu 1.jpg|
Image:Hibiscus syriacus x1.jpg|
</gallery>

==References==
*{{wplink}}
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
*American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432
*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608

==External links==

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