Rose of sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
Rose of sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–10 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Marginal hardiness (Z5b on the warm edge). Leafs out very late (often June); top-kill in cold winters above ~5,500 ft. Best in protected south-facing Denver-metro yards.
On the CSU listmedium water6–10 ft tall and 4–8 ft wideZone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) Adam Archie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Adam Archie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, clay
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6–10 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Bloom color
- blue, purple, white, pink
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Frequently asked questions
- Is Rose of sharon good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Rose of sharon is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Rose of sharon get?
- It matures to about 6–10 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Rose of sharon?
- Space Rose of sharon about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Rose of sharon hardy on the Front Range?
- Rose of sharon is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Rose of sharon need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Rose of sharon grow?
- Rose of sharon is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Rose of sharon native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Rose of sharon deer-resistant?
- No. Rose of sharon is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Rose of sharon a good firewise plant near the house?
- Rose of sharon is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Rose of sharon bloom?
- Rose of sharon blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
