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=regular
|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'
}}
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==
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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 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, 80, 113}}. 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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==Species==
<!--  This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc    -->

==Gallery==
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==References==
*[[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  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}

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