Hibiscus syriacus — the rose of Sharon that blooms all summer

Hibiscus syriacus, known as rose of Sharon or shrub althea, is the shrub that blooms when others run out of steam: from July to September it is covered in large cup-shaped flowers in blue, lavender, magenta, pink or white, often marked with a darker eye. Unlike the tropical indoor hibiscus, rose of Sharon is fully hardy: it withstands frost, drops its leaves in winter and regrows vigorously every spring. A generous, easy shrub, ideal for bringing summer colour to a terrace or a large balcony.

The Chiffon® series on standards

The Chiffon® series stands out for its semi-double flowers, with a centre of ruffled petals like muslin. Blue Chiffon® offers a lavender blue that is rare among shrubs, Lavender Chiffon® a soft mauve, Magenta Chiffon® a vivid pink, White Chiffon® a bright pure white and Starburst Chiffon® a white veined with raspberry pink. Grown as standards (H90 cm), they form small round-headed trees, perfect for structuring a terrace alongside other compact shrubs and urban perennials.

The tricolour rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus Tricolour combines three flower colours on a single plant: white, pink and purple. A spectacular effect for a single standard shrub, which stands on its own in a pot at the centre of a terrace. It is the ideal variety for anyone who wants abundant colour without multiplying plants, and one of the most eye-catching of all outdoor flowering plants.

Bushy rose of Sharon

'Hamabo' (pale pink with a red eye) and 'Woodbridge' (deep pink) come with a bushy habit. More compact at first, they fill out year after year and suit a large pot as well as a flowering hedge. Their large single flowers attract bees and butterflies all summer long.

Position and hardiness

Rose of Sharon loves the sun: a south, east or west-facing spot guarantees abundant flowering. It is one of the full-sun plants that cope with the heat of urban terraces, while also withstanding significant frost. Deciduous, it drops its foliage in winter and leafs out late in spring, often in May: don't worry if it seems dormant longer than its neighbours. It is among the most floriferous cold- and frost-hardy plants.

Care in pots

In a pot, choose a deep container with good drainage and rich compost. Water regularly during summer flowering, especially in hot weather, letting the surface dry slightly between waterings. A feed for flowering plants in spring encourages bud formation. Prune in late winter: shorten the previous year's shoots to keep a compact head, as rose of Sharon flowers on new wood.

Rose of Sharon on the terrace

As a standard, rose of Sharon brings height and a small-tree silhouette that works equally well as a pair on either side of a French window or as a focal point at the end of a terrace. Combined with grasses, lavender or agapanthus, it creates a flowering Mediterranean atmosphere from summer into autumn. It is a safe choice for setting up a sunny balcony or dressing a south-facing terrace.