Common Hibiscus
Hibiscus syriacus
Also listed as Ketmia arborea, Ketmia syriaca
Also known as Rose of Sharon, Althea, Korean Hibiscus
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub prized for its large, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, or white that bloom from midsummer through fall. Hardy and relatively low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soil conditions.
Why grow it
Hibiscus syriacus offers reliable late-season color when many shrubs have faded, extending visual interest into fall. Compared to tropical hibiscus species, it provides hardiness in temperate climates while requiring less fertilizer and water management. Its tolerance for poor soil and compacted sites makes it useful where other ornamentals struggle, though it flowers later and less prolifically than some cultivars bred for continuous bloom.
Watch out for
Plants may take 2-3 years to reach mature flowering size, so young specimens can appear sparse initially. In areas with cool or short growing seasons, flower buds sometimes fail to set or open fully before frost arrives. Volunteer seedlings can appear in nearby garden beds from self-seeding in mild climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its large, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, or white that bloom from midsummer through fall. Hardy and relatively low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soil conditions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Hibiscus grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Hibiscus syriacus offers reliable late-season color when many shrubs have faded, extending visual interest into fall. Compared to tropical hibiscus species, it provides hardiness in temperate climates while requiring less fertilizer and water management. Its tolerance for poor soil and compacted sites makes it useful where other ornamentals struggle, though it flowers later and less prolifically than some cultivars bred for continuous bloom.
Watch out for
Plants may take 2-3 years to reach mature flowering size, so young specimens can appear sparse initially. In areas with cool or short growing seasons, flower buds sometimes fail to set or open fully before frost arrives. Volunteer seedlings can appear in nearby garden beds from self-seeding in mild climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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