Rose of Sharon tree is ‘focal point’ in garden
Growing gaily above walls with colorful blooms
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus, hibiscus Syracuse) is a member of the mallow family (Malvaceae), a large group of several hundred different plant species. Members of the family include; Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinesis), Hibiscus Moscheutos (marsh mallow) from whose roots the original marshmallow were made; okra and cotton. They are all ‘cousins’. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) and Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) may look similar, these plants are from different climates; one is temperate and the other tropical. Both plants are native to Asia.
Rose of Sharon is a woody shrub that grows 8 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. Like Chinese Hibiscus, it is easy to grow and tolerates polluted air, a wide range of light conditions and poor soil, it is common in cities, where it thrives in conditions not many other plants can tolerate. Both Rose of Sharon and Chinese hibiscus are also valuable because of their spectacular flowers. Each flower last only a few days, but there is such a profusion of flowers, the shrubs remain in continuous bloom. Both Rose of Sharon (‘the cool’) and Chinese hibiscus (‘the hot’) are popular as they are “plant-and-forget-it shrubs.”
Rose of Sharon
In fact, in areas with good sunlight and soil, Rose of Sharon in particular, is so enthusiastic that it could become a problem, sowing seeds, making baby plants with abandon and founding spreading colonies. Do not plant Rose of Sharon where its aggressive seedlings can escape into the wild and spread, destroying native plants species, or if you think pulling out its many babies will be a chore.
Chinese Hibiscus is a tropical hibiscus and prefers full sun and moist but no wet soil. Planted outdoors it reaches 10-16 feet high and 6-10 feet wide. This deciduous plant is often grown in pots so it can be brought in as a house plant at least part of the year in places where the temperature falls below freezing in winter.
Mulch
Once established both species Rose of Sharon (hibiscus syriacus) and Chinese hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis) like all mature hibiscus don’t need much attention. However, they will appreciate annual mulch. To do this, remove any remnants of the previous years’ mulch layer. If it has been dry recently, water the area. Apply annually 3-4 inches (7.6-10cm) of compost or well-rotted manure. Place this under the leaf canopy spread it out to the drip line (the area under the outermost branches). Add a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
Pruning: Numerous and attractive flowers are hallmark of the species .You may choose to prune your Hibiscus plant for shaping purposes, or on old shrubs for rejuvenation.
Flowers are produced on new wood, so prune early just before the rains to shape and reduce size, pruning the shrub back to 2or3 buds per branch encourages larger flowers. Pruning the top of the plants will encourage the plants to grow wider and fuller looking. The Rose of Sharon and Chinese hibiscus will grow 8 to 16 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide, but if you prune yearly before the rains the plants can be kept smaller—as low as 3to4 feet tall and wide. If you plant your hibiscus on 6 to 7 feet centers, they will fill in quickly, creating a thick hedge for privacy, a noise barrier, and a wind break. Prune plants yearly, in the early rain season when first planted—even if they are only 3 feet tall at the time. If not pruned the plants will grow like columns- tall and narrow. When individual plants are pruned regularly, the individual branches become stronger. Remove any dead, diseased or damage stems which should be cut right back to the base of the stem. Remove dead, diseased and injured branches anytime. Pruning time is also a good time to apply a balanced slow release (granu
