Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus 'William R. Smith'
ABOUT
The Hibiscus syriacus 'William R. Smith', commonly known as Rose of Sharon, is a flowering shrub with notable and attractive features. This cultivar is prized for its blooms, which are large and showy. The flowers are a delicate shade of pale pink, almost leaning towards a blush white, and they typically feature a prominent, contrasting red or deep pink center that accentuates their overall appeal. The petals are broad and slightly ruffled, giving each blossom a lush, full appearance. The Rose of Sharon has a bushy, upright growing habit, with multiple stems that branch out to showcase its foliage and flowers. The leaves are bright green and have a slightly glossy texture, with a slightly toothed edge that adds a subtle texture to the plant’s silhouette. The leaves are heart-shaped or perhaps more accurately, they are somewhat triangular with a generally tapered appearance towards the tip, providing an attractive backdrop for the flowers throughout the growing season. The flowers of the Rose of Sharon, including the 'William R. Smith' cultivar, are not only aesthetically pleasing but they also tend to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden, adding an extra layer of vibrancy and activity. The prolonged blooming period of this plant, flowering over several months, ensures a lasting display of its charming characteristics. The shrub can present an elegant and sumptuous addition to garden beds, borders, or as a stand-alone specimen in the landscape, given its ornamental flower and foliage features.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Rose Of Sharon, Shrub Althea, Hardy Hibiscus, Korean Rose, Syrian Ketmia
Common names
Hibiscus syriacus 'William R. Smith'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Rose of Sharon is not considered toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of this plant typically does not lead to serious poisoning. However, like any plant not intended for consumption, individual sensitivities can vary, and it could cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities.
To pets
The Rose of Sharon is generally considered to be low in toxicity for pets. It could potentially cause vomiting, diarrhea, or other mild gastrointestinal upset if a pet ingests parts of this plant, but it is not known to cause serious poisoning in domestic animals like cats and dogs.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 meters)
Spread
6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
China Korea
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds decorative charm to landscapes with its delicate white flowers.
- Attracts Pollinators: Invites bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which are vital for pollination.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it requires less water, making it sustainable in dry conditions.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides late summer to fall blooming when most other plants have finished flowering.
- Urban Tolerant: Capable of thriving in urban environments, handling pollution and compacted soils.
- Privacy Screen: Can be used as a natural privacy barrier or hedge due to its dense foliage.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, with occasional pruning and feeding.
- Versatility: Suitable for a variety of landscape designs, from formal to cottage gardens.
- Cold Hardy: Resistant to cold weather, which allows it to be grown in many climates.
- Fauna Habitat: Provides shelter and nesting sites for local bird species.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Some Hibiscus species have been used to reduce inflammation.
- Antioxidant: Hibiscus contains anthocyanins and other antioxidants.
- Antipyretic: It may help to reduce fever in traditional use.
- Diuretic: Hibiscus has been used to increase urine production.
- Antibacterial: The plant may have antibacterial properties.
- Antihypertensive: Hibiscus tea is traditionally used to manage blood pressure.
- Hepatoprotective: There may be some liver protective effects.
- Emmenagogue: It has been used traditionally to stimulate menstruation.
- Gastrointestinal support: Hibiscus is sometimes used to support digestive health.
- Soothes the throat: Hibiscus tea is often used to soothe a sore throat.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Culinary Garnish: The flowers of the Rose of Sharon can be used as a colorful garnish for salads or desserts, adding an exotic touch to dishes.
- Fabric Dye: The blooms can be used to create natural dyes, offering hues from light pink to deep purple for textile coloring.
- Crafts: Dried flowers of the plant can be incorporated into potpourri mixes or used to create floral arrangements and wreaths.
- Paper Making: The fibrous nature of Rose of Sharon's stems and leaves can be used in the homemade paper-making process for added texture and decorative elements.
- Eco-friendly Packaging: With public interest in sustainable materials, the leaves and the fibrous parts of the plant can be explored as biodegradable packing materials.
- Garden Structures: The branches of the Rose of Sharon are strong and can be used in the garden to create natural supports for other climbing plants.
- Ink Production: The petals can potentially be used to make botanical inks for art or calligraphy purposes.
- Natural Soap Coloring: The pigments in the flowers can be used to color homemade soaps naturally without the need for artificial dyes.
- Botanical Prints: The distinct shape of the flowers and leaves can be used in creating botanical prints for artwork or fabric design.
- Photography Subject: Due to its striking blooms, the Rose of Sharon serves as an excellent subject for floral photography and botanical studies.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiRose of Sharon is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityRose of Sharon is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: The hibiscus, with its large, vibrant flowers, is often seen as a symbol of beauty and is commonly used in art and decoration to convey aesthetic appeal.
- Femininity: The delicate and ornamental nature of the hibiscus flower is frequently associated with feminine qualities, representing grace and elegance.
- Warmth and Hospitality: In many cultures, hibiscus flowers are a welcoming sign that represents friendliness and the warmth of a hospitable host.
- Carpe Diem: Due to the hibiscus's short bloom cycle, it is sometimes used to symbolize the importance of seizing the day and living life to the fullest.
- National Pride: The Rose of Sharon, a common name for Hibiscus syriacus, is the national flower of South Korea, symbolizing perseverance and hope.
WaterThe Rose of Sharon should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. During the growing season, this usually equates to about once a week, depending on regional weather conditions and soil composition. It's important to provide deep, infrequent waterings rather than frequent, shallow ones, to encourage deep root growth. On average, this means approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per week for a young plant, increasing to 2 to 3 gallons for an established shrub during hot or dry periods. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
LightThe Rose of Sharon thrives best in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot would provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, which will help ensure abundant blossoms. If you can plant it in a location that receives morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, particularly in regions with very hot summers, that would be advantageous.
TemperatureThe Rose of Sharon can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but performs best in conditions between 60°F and 90°F. It is winter-hardy in temperatures as low as -10°F and can survive summer peaks up to about 100°F. For optimal growth and flowering, it should not be exposed to extended periods outside this temperature range.
PruningPrune the Rose of Sharon to shape it, remove dead wood, and encourage more prolific blooming. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This plant flowers on new wood, so annual pruning won't affect the flowering and can help promote a bushier, healthier plant. Prune sparingly – removing about one-third of the branches is usually sufficient.
CleaningAs needed
SoilRose of Sharon prefers well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. A good mix for this plant would be two parts garden soil, one part peat moss or compost, and one part perlite or sand to improve drainage. The pH should ideally be within a range of 6.0 to 7.5 to keep the plant happy and healthy.
RepottingRose of Sharon, being a fairly large shrub, is usually planted directly in the ground and does not require frequent repotting. If grown in a container, repotting every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its pot is adequate to ensure the health of the plant.
Humidity & MistingRose of Sharon tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but thrives best in moderate conditions. While it can withstand some humidity, it doesn't require the high humidity levels that some tropical plants prefer.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, ensure pot has drainage holes.
Outdoor
Full sun, protect from strong winds, mulch base.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleRose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'William R. Smith') begins its life cycle when seeds from the mature plant germinate in the spring, given warm temperatures and moist soil conditions. Seedlings emerge and grow steadily, developing into young plants with characteristic tri-lobed leaves. As it matures, typically in the second or third year, the shrub begins to flower, producing white flowers with a blush of pink and a prominent red center during late summer. After pollination, often by bees, the flowers produce dry capsules containing seeds that can be dispersed by wind or animals into the surrounding environment. Once established, Rose of Sharon can live for many years, entering a period of dormancy during the winter, losing its leaves as a deciduous plant, and then resprouting in the spring. Pruning in early spring can help maintain the desired shape of the shrub and encourage new growth and more abundant flowering in the subsequent season.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter - Early Spring
Hibiscus syriacus 'William R. Smith', commonly known as Rose of Sharon, is typically propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring to early summer. To propagate, a healthy stem tip about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long is cut just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, leaving two to four leaves at the top of the cutting. The cut end may be dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development and then placed in a moist potting mix. The pot should be covered with plastic to maintain humidity and kept in indirect light until roots have developed, which usually takes several weeks. After the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into the garden or into individual pots.
