Previous species

Next Species

Home Page

Shrub Althaea, Rose of Sharon
Scientific Name: Hibiscus syriacus L.
Synonym: Hibiscus acerifolius, Hibiscus floridus, Hibiscus rhombifolius, Ketmia arborea, Ketmia syriaca, Ketmia syrorum
Family: Malvaceae

Show Larger Picture

Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 2-21, 26,28-41 USDA: 7 to 10a Frost Tolerance: Mostly deciduous in Phoenix, needs no protection in winter, but unreliable in summer Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade Origin: Pakistan Growth Habits: Deciduous shrub to 10 feet tall (3 m), 6 feet in width (1.8 m), can be trained to have a single trunk; coarsely toothed leaves, often with 3 lobes Watering Needs: Regular deep watering, some drought tolerance, needs good drainage Propagation: Softwood cuttings in spring, semi-hardwood in summer, hardwood cutting in winter without leaves, seeds, layering of the lower flexible branches

Cultural Practices:
Cutting it back in the fall, makes it give larger-sized flowers.

Blooming Habits:
The simple or double flowers in summers are bigger (up to 4 inches 10 cm) if the bush has been trimmed in winter. Several new varieties do not set seeds, and thus, avoid the unattractive looking seed pods.