{"id":648,"date":"2026-10-12T12:11:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T16:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=648"},"modified":"2026-10-12T12:11:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T16:11:39","slug":"rose-of-sharon","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/rose-of-sharon\/","title":{"rendered":"Rose of Sharon"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Hibiscus<\/span> syriacus<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Rose of Sharon is a small flowering<\/span> tree<\/span> or<\/span> large<\/span> shrub<\/span> prized<\/span> for<\/span> its<\/span> colorful<\/span> late-summer<\/span> blooms<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> wide<\/span> range<\/span> of<\/span> landscape<\/span> conditions.<\/span> Native<\/span> to<\/span> eastern<\/span> Asia,<\/span> it<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> for<\/span> centuries<\/span> and<\/span> is<\/span> widely<\/span> planted<\/span> throughout<\/span> North<\/span> America<\/span> as<\/span> an<\/span> ornamental.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike many flowering trees that bloom in spring, Rose of Sharon produces abundant<\/span> flowers<\/span> during<\/span> mid-<\/span> and<\/span> late<\/span> summer<\/span> when<\/span> relatively<\/span> few<\/span> woody<\/span> plants<\/span> are<\/span> in<\/span> bloom.<\/span> Its<\/span> long<\/span> flowering<\/span> period,<\/span> variety<\/span> of<\/span> flower<\/span> colors,<\/span> and<\/span> tolerance<\/span> of<\/span> urban<\/span> environments<\/span> have<\/span> made<\/span> it<\/span> a<\/span> popular<\/span> feature<\/span> in<\/span> gardens,<\/span> campuses,<\/span> parks,<\/span> and<\/span> residential<\/span> landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Alternate<\/span> leaf<\/span> arrangement<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Oval<\/span> to<\/span> diamond-shaped<\/span> leaves<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Coarsely<\/span> toothed<\/span> margins<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Medium<\/span> to<\/span> dark<\/span> green<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Yellow<\/span> fall<\/span> color,<\/span> often<\/span> modest<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Gray-brown<\/span> bark<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Smooth<\/span> on<\/span> younger<\/span> stems<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Develops<\/span> shallow<\/span> ridges<\/span> with<\/span> age<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Often<\/span> forms<\/span> multiple<\/span> trunks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/span><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Large,<\/span> showy<\/span> blossoms<\/span><\/li>\n
      • White,<\/span> pink,<\/span> lavender,<\/span> purple,<\/span> blue,<\/span> or<\/span> bicolored<\/span> depending<\/span> on<\/span> cultivar<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Typically<\/span> 2<\/span> to<\/span> 4<\/span> inches<\/span> across<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Bloom<\/span> from<\/span> mid-summer<\/span> into<\/span> early<\/span> autumn<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Attractive<\/span> to<\/span> pollinators<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/span><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Small<\/span> brown<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Persist<\/span> into<\/span> autumn<\/span> and<\/span> winter<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Split<\/span> open<\/span> to<\/span> release<\/span> numerous<\/span> seeds<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/span><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically<\/span> grows<\/span> 8<\/span> to<\/span> 15<\/span> feet<\/span> tall<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Mature<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> 6<\/span> to<\/span> 12<\/span> feet<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Often<\/span> develops<\/span> a<\/span> vase-shaped<\/span> or<\/span> upright<\/span> form<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native<\/span> Range<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> is<\/span> native<\/span> to<\/span> China<\/span> and<\/span> Korea.<\/span> It<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> throughout<\/span> Asia<\/span> and<\/span> Europe<\/span> for<\/span> centuries<\/span> and<\/span> is<\/span> now<\/span> widely<\/span> planted<\/span> across<\/span> North<\/span> America<\/span> because<\/span> of<\/span> its<\/span> ornamental<\/span> value<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Within<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum,<\/span> Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> is<\/span> classified<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> Non-Native<\/span><\/strong> species.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ecology<\/span> and<\/span> Wildlife<\/span> Value<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> provides<\/span> important<\/span> late-season<\/span> resources<\/span> for<\/span> pollinators.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Its<\/span> flowers<\/span> attract:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Native<\/span> bees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Bumblebees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Butterflies<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Hummingbirds<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Other<\/span> pollinating<\/span> insects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              The<\/span> plant<\/span> also<\/span> provides:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Seasonal<\/span> cover<\/span> for<\/span> birds<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Nectar<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> summer<\/span> flowering<\/span> season<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Structural<\/span> diversity<\/span> within<\/span> the<\/span> landscape<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                In<\/span> some<\/span> regions,<\/span> Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> can<\/span> self-seed<\/span> readily<\/span> and<\/span> spread<\/span> beyond<\/span> planted<\/span> areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Human<\/span> Uses<\/span> and<\/span> Cultural<\/span> Significance<\/span><\/h2>\n

                Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> has<\/span> long<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> for<\/span> its<\/span> ornamental<\/span> beauty.<\/span><\/p>\n

                The<\/span> species<\/span> is<\/span> valued<\/span> for:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Long<\/span> flowering<\/span> season<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Large<\/span> colorful<\/span> blossoms<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Adaptability<\/span> to<\/span> urban<\/span> environments<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Drought<\/span> tolerance<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Compact<\/span> size<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Hundreds<\/span> of<\/span> cultivars<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> developed<\/span> with<\/span> variations<\/span> in<\/span> flower<\/span> color,<\/span> petal<\/span> arrangement,<\/span> and<\/span> growth<\/span> habit.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Because<\/span> it<\/span> blooms<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> hottest<\/span> part<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season,<\/span> Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> is<\/span> often<\/span> planted<\/span> to<\/span> extend<\/span> seasonal<\/span> interest<\/span> in<\/span> gardens<\/span> and<\/span> landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> at<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> contributes<\/span> vibrant<\/span> summer<\/span> color<\/span> and<\/span> pollinator<\/span> resources<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum.<\/span> Its<\/span> extended<\/span> bloom<\/span> period<\/span> provides<\/span> floral<\/span> interest<\/span> well<\/span> after<\/span> many<\/span> spring-flowering<\/span> trees<\/span> and<\/span> shrubs<\/span> have<\/span> finished<\/span> flowering.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  As<\/span> a<\/span> non-native<\/span> ornamental<\/span> species,<\/span> Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span> illustrates<\/span> how<\/span> cultivated<\/span> flowering<\/span> plants<\/span> from<\/span> around<\/span> the<\/span> world<\/span> can<\/span> contribute<\/span> beauty<\/span> and<\/span> seasonal<\/span> diversity<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> campus<\/span> landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Quick<\/span> Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Common<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Rose<\/span> of<\/span> Sharon<\/span>
                  \nScientific<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Hibiscus<\/span> syriacus<\/span><\/em>
                  \nFamily:<\/span><\/strong> Malvaceae<\/span>
                  \nNative<\/span> Region:<\/span><\/strong> Non-Native<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Height:<\/span><\/strong> 8\u201315<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Spread:<\/span><\/strong> 6\u201312<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nGrowth<\/span> Rate:<\/span><\/strong> Moderate<\/span>
                  \nSun<\/span> Requirements:<\/span><\/strong> Full<\/span> Sun<\/span>
                  \nSoil<\/span> Preferences:<\/span><\/strong> Well-drained<\/span> soils;<\/span> adaptable<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> variety<\/span> of<\/span> conditions<\/span>
                  \nUSDA<\/span> Hardiness<\/span> Zones:<\/span><\/strong> 5\u20139<\/span>
                  \nBloom<\/span> Period:<\/span><\/strong> July<\/span> to<\/span> September<\/span>
                  \nFruit\/Seed:<\/span><\/strong> Brown<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules<\/span> that<\/span> mature<\/span> in<\/span> autumn<\/span>
                  \nWildlife<\/span> Value:<\/span><\/strong> Supports<\/span> pollinators,<\/span> including<\/span> bees,<\/span> butterflies,<\/span> and<\/span> hummingbirds<\/span>
                  \nNotable<\/span> Characteristics:<\/span><\/strong> Large<\/span> colorful<\/span> flowers,<\/span> long<\/span> bloom<\/span> season,<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability<\/span> to<\/span> urban<\/span> landscapes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Hibiscus syriacus Overview The Rose of Sharon is a small flowering tree or large shrub prized for its colorful late-summer blooms and adaptability to a wide range of landscape conditions. Native to eastern Asia, it has been cultivated for centuries and is widely planted throughout North America as an ornamental. Unlike many flowering trees that<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-648","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=648"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":649,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648\/revisions\/649"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}