Rose of Sharon 'Stadt Erlenbach' Hibiscus syriacus 'Stadt Erlenbach'

Water

The Rose of Sharon requires regular watering, particularly during dry spells, to keep the soil evenly moist. New plantings should be watered once or twice per week, depending on the weather, applying about 1 to 2 gallons per watering to establish a strong root system. Established plants will benefit from a similar amount of water, but they can withstand somewhat drier conditions. Care should be taken not to over-water, as this can lead to root rot. Deep, infrequent waterings are better than frequent, shallow ones, as this encourages deeper root growth.

Light

The Rose of Sharon thrives best in full sun conditions, where it can receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, flowering is often more prolific in full sun. The plant should be placed in a spot where it isn't shaded by buildings or larger trees to ensure adequate light for bloom production.

Temperature

The Rose of Sharon is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, typically from 20°F to over 100°F. However, it grows best in temperatures between 60°F and 85°F. It is important to protect the plant from extreme cold by planting it in a location sheltered from harsh winter winds.

Pruning

Pruning the Rose of Sharon is important for maintaining its shape, encouraging new growth, and promoting more prolific blooming. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Prune away any dead or diseased wood, and thin out crowded branches. You can also prune to shape the plant or control its size; it tolerates heavy pruning well.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for the Rose of Sharon is one that is well-draining and fertile. A good mix could be composed of two parts loam, one part peat moss, and one part perlite or coarse sand to facilitate drainage. This plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH range, ideally between 5.5 and 7.5.

Repotting

Rose of Sharon, being a larger shrub rather than a houseplant, typically does not require repotting. It is planted in the ground where it can grow to its full size. Repotting would apply to container-grown plants and should be done every 3-5 years or when the plant outgrows its current container.

Humidity & Misting

Rose of Sharon can tolerate a broad range of humidity conditions, but it thrives best in moderate to high humidity. There is no specific humidity level required, but maintaining ambient outdoor humidity is generally suitable for the plant.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light and prune to control size.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, ensure soil is well-draining.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

Hibiscus syriacus 'Stadt Erlenbach', commonly known as Rose of Sharon, begins its life cycle with seed germination in late spring to early summer, requiring well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight. Following germination, the seedling stage involves the development of primary leaves and a basic root system. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it grows vigorously, producing a woody stem and more complex leaf structures, preparing for the flowering stage. During the flowering stage, typically from mid-summer to fall, 'Stadt Erlenbach' produces large, showy flowers that are attractive to pollinators, eventually leading to seed production. Once pollinated, the flowers produce seeds that are dispersed by wind, water, or animals, completing the reproductive cycle. In the perennial phase, the plant experiences a dormancy period in winter, during which above-ground growth ceases, but it emerges again in spring, ready for a new growth cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The Hibiscus syriacus 'Stadt Erlenbach', commonly known as Rose of Sharon, is typically propagated during late winter to early spring, before new growth begins. The most popular method of propagation is through softwood cuttings. To do this, a gardener would take a cutting of new growth about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long, strip the leaves from the lower half, and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. This prepared cutting is then inserted into a rooting medium, such as perlite or vermiculite, ensuring that the leafless portion is well covered. The cutting should be kept in a well-lit area but out of direct sunlight, and the medium should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. With proper care, roots will develop within a few weeks, after which the new Rose of Sharon plant can be transplanted to a more permanent location.