Last updated on December 27th, 2024 at 07:38 am
Rose of Sharon Plants (Hibiscus syriacus). The Aphrodite rose of Sharon flower.
The Rose of Sharon or “althaea” (althea) Hibiscus syriacus. This plant does very well in the desert southwest. They will bloom in late spring and continue blooming till late fall. This means great color throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
It is a deciduous plant and once established is drought tolerant. They have large tropical-like blooms and should be fertilized in late spring, summer, and fall.
When to Prune
You can prune the bottom suckers of the bottom trunk to make a small tree. It loves full sun and well-drained organic-type soil. It can tolerate some shade but especially underneath a larger tree with filtered light. See the image below.
They can get up to 10′ tall but there are some cultivars that stay shorter. This plant is an excellent choice for an abundance of blooming colors. Place them in a front entrance as they can be very showy during the spring months.
Where to place it
Rose of Sharon plant is commonly used as a hedge, screen, or specimen plant in gardens. It is also a favorite among gardeners for its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
It responds well to pruning in early spring. Many varieties of multi-colored flowers make this small tree or plant an excellent choice for your landscaping needs. Color Your World nurseries will usually have these types of shrubs in stock. They are an excellent choice for a stand-alone shrub specimen. If you have questions regarding your shrubs, please contact us.
Problems with these plants
The number one problem is Aphids. These little insects will suck on the stems and the flowers themselves. Try spraying with a good insecticide to kill these pests. You can also try a systemic insecticide, pour a mixture of insecticide and water, and apply it to the ground. Make sure you apply this solution one ft. away from the trunk and not pass the tree stem line. As an organic substitute try neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Another problem is the leaf spot. This is a fungal disease that affects many plants throughout the U.S.A.
But not so much in around the American Southwest. A good fungicide with copper will work well for this plant.
Fertilizer
Keeping your Rose of Sharon Plants healthy but regular feeding and watering is the best deterrent to insects and diseases. A well-balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer will work well.
Where to buy these plants? Guzman’s Garden Centers will normally have these plants in early spring, until late fall.
USDA growing zone is 5 – 9 Check your Plant Hardiness zone.
There are many types of Rose of Sharon Plants. See photos of these plants over at Monrovia.com
Would the rose of Sharon be good for a privacy wall? If so, what would the spacing be between each plant?
The Rose of Sharon is a good privacy wall however it will go dormant during the winter season. I would space them out about 5ft. or more apart. The shorter the spacing the sooner you get that “wall”.
What is the correct way to plant Rose of Sharon
Patti, decide where you want to plant the Rose of Sharon. It should be in full sun but it can tolerate partial shade. Make your hole twice as wide and about the depth as the container, it came in. Remove from container making sure you do not expose the root system. Place in hole and backfill with well-composted organic soil. You can mix some of the native soil with organic compost about 50/50 ratio.
Water daily for about 2-3 weeks, then cut back to every other day. On a drip system, this is typically about 20 minutes. Or water by hand it’s about 3-5 gallons each time. Use root stimulator to help make new roots for your Rose of Sharon. Fertilize 2-3 days after planting and use a good shrub all-purpose fertilizer an analysis of 20-20-20 will work. I hoped this helped?