Hibiscus syriacus, the common garden Hibiscus, also called Rose of Sharon or Rose of Althea is a woody perennial, deciduous, flowering shrub that can reach 2-4 m in height. It is widely planted in areas with hot summers for its very attractive white, pink, red, lavender, or purple flowers. The flowers are large, solitary, showy, single or double and appear from mid summer to early autumn on current season's growth. Since plants bloom on new growth, shaping or pruning can be done at any time; prune in late winter or early spring in northern climates. The flowers only open in sunny weather. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects attracted by flat blossoms and nectar.
Native to India and East Asia, the national flower of Korea, it is the perfect shrub for groupings and mass plantings, to create a screen, or planted as a formal or informal hedge or in a shrub border. Standard forms may be used as small trees planted to the entranceways. It has a medium growth rate, with a narrow vase-shaped to arching growth habit, often becoming arching with age if never pruned.
To give the best growing conditions to your Hibiscus plant it in a place with full sun as it likes hot weather. It will also tolerate partial shade. Soils are not critical but it prefers moist, well-drained soils supplemented with organic matter. Its leaves usually start to show around the end of spring or early summer, causing false alarms in gardeners who think their plants may have died.
Is an easy to grow plant because of its relatively rapid establishment and can be easily transplanted without being disturbed too much. This species is hardy to about -20 Celsius degrees (-4 F) but plants only really succeed in the warmer areas because of their late flowering habit. When planted in colder areas, they will need protection for the first few winters.
Propagation can be done by cuttings or by seeds. Seeds can be sow in 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.
Propagate in a frame from cuttings of half-ripe wood taken in mid to late summer or from cuttings of mature wood taken in early autumn. Layering can also be an option if done in mid summer to early autumn.
