Peffley: Rose of Sharon adds vibrant summer color to any landscape
Ellen Peffley
Rose of Sharon is a flowering tall shrub that brings vibrant summer color to the landscape with its large trumpet-shaped individual blossoms. Blossom colors vary by cultivar and may be white, pink, red, violet, or lavender blue often with deep throats of darker colors. Blossoms last one day, staying open for one day and closing at night. Shrubs begin flowering in early July and continue into the autumn.
Blossoms may be single-, double- or semi-doubly petaled. Single-petaled varieties are hardier than the double-flowered types, but all are hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. Its growth habit is erect, 8 to 12 feet in height with a 6-to-10-foot spread, which makes it a good choice for small areas. It is easy to maintain. For the showiest blossom display place in full sun in a well-drained soil.