Vigorous and summer-blooming, Rose-of-Sharon is a large, deciduous shrub that originates from Asia. It has an upright, bushy habit and a tendency to spread and seed itself in, if given the opportunity. Throughout the growing season it has lustrous, lobed, palm-shaped leaves of medium green. From mid to late summer it produces medium to large, open, funnel-shaped blooms that have a papery appearance. These may be white, lavender, red, pink or purple, depending on the cultivar. Double and semi-double selections are available.
Rose-of-Sharon grows best in full to partial sun and fertile loam with even moisture and good drainage. It is easy to grow and well-suited as an informal hedge or screen. Nice additions to mixed shrub borders or may be planted as landscape specimens. (info source: Learn2Grow.com)
Genus - Hibiscus
Species - Syriacus
Common name - Rose Of Sharon
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 8
Height - 8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
Spread - 6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, loam, sand, well drained
Water requirements - Average, moist
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
Germination rate - 92%
Bloom season - Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Purple, pink
Useful Info | |
Germination | Seeds can be planted in a commercial seed starting medium or a mix can be made out of some combination of sand, perlite, vermiculite. The seeds are planted 1/4 to 1/2" deep in the mixture and should germinate in a week to a month on average. It is best to keep the temperature about 80 to 85° F (about 28° C) and the medium moist, but not soggy. A heat mat to provide bottom heat is helpful. Until you have found out what works best for you, the seed starting kits that are available in gardening stores and catalogs that use small plastic cells may be the best way to start -- one seed per cell.. Some have used styrofoam coffee cups with drainage holes poked in the bottoms and 100% perlite to start their seedlings. Some plant several seeds in 4" pots. Putting the pots/cups, etc. in trays with clear domes and starting under lights can give them a headstart. It is absolutely essential that you do not use too much water. Seeds will rot and will not germinate if they stay in a wet/soggy medium. After the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves and the stems have begun to harden and become woody, they may be moved to a larger pot. A water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer can be used per label directions at this point. Some growers will move these 3 or 4" tall seedlings to a gallon plastic pot containing potting soil, others will move their seedlings up in several stages to gallon pots and use soilless mixtures. Some growers plant their young seedlings in the ground in their own bed. (Always avoid disrupting the plant and its roots as much as possible in these moves.) These small seedlings should be gradually introduced to sun over several days. Remember they are tender, so avoid temperatures in the 40s. Information source: trop-hibiscus.com |