Rose of sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
Rose of sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6 to 10 ft tall and 4 to 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 to 10 ft tall and 4 to 8 ft wide
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 to 9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, clay
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.5
- Hail tolerance
- low
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6 to 10 ft tall and 4 to 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 rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
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 to 10 ft tall and 4 to 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 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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.
- 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.
