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Rose of Sharon, also commonly known as althea, is a popular shrub currently in bloom. It will continue to do so until fall, adding beauty and interest to the landscape for a long period of time.
It prefers full sun or to at least get around 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Grown in excessive shade, they produce few flowers, become leggy and are otherwise unhappy. Rose of Sharon is also relatively drought hardy once established only needing deep irrigation every few weeks. If overwatered, it is susceptible to vascular wilt diseases such as verticillium. Otherwise Rose of Sharon is relatively pest and disease free.
Expect the shrub to grow at least 18 inches a year. Additionally, prune at least lightly in early spring. This causes the shrub to bloom more profusely later on because flowers are produced on new growth. Since Rose of Sharon is adapted to poor soil, it usually requires little to no fertilizer.
Expect most Rose of Sharon cultivars to reach around 10 to 12 feet high and wide at maturity. Plan accordingly when planting in the landscape. The shrub can be kept to about half this size with renewal pruning, but this process will have to occur every spring to keep the shrub in check. Otherwise, a few dwarf cultivars exist such as Lil' Kim. They may be less common at local garden centers. Many flower colors exist ranging from white to pink, lavender and lavender-red. Double and single flower forms are also available. Rose of Sharon also can be purchased as a shrub or trained into tree form.
