Hawaii Rose of Sharon

Hawaii Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'Hawaii')

Hawaii Rose of Sharon is an upright shrub bearing large blue lavender flowers with a heart-shaped red purple center from midsummer into early fall. Its tidy, vase-shaped habit and long bloom season add dependable color to sunny borders, hedges, and focal plantings.

Distinctive Features

Showy, cool-toned petals contrasted by a warm central eye create high-impact flowers over many weeks on new wood; blossoms attract pollinators and read clearly from a distance.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade, with best flowering in full sun.
• Soil: Average, well drained soil; tolerant of slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions.
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist during establishment, then water during extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 5 to 8 ft tall and 4 to 7 ft wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Blue lavender blooms with a red purple center create a striking summer display.
• Hedges and Screens: Forms a flowering privacy panel in sunny sites.
• Mixed Borders: Provides late-season color among perennials and shrubs.
• Pollinator Gardens: Nectar-rich flowers support bees and butterflies.
• Small Gardens: Intermediate size suits entries, courtyards, and side yards.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply water the first season; increase during hot, dry weather.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and encourage vigorous new-wood flowering.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in spring if needed; avoid excess nitrogen that can reduce bloom.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 inch mulch to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch off stems.
• Notes: Blooms on new growth; site in full sun for the richest color and heaviest bud set.

Why Choose Hawaii Rose of Sharon?

• Summer Bloom Power: Flowers for weeks when many shrubs are out of color.
• Distinctive Color: Blue lavender petals with a bold red purple eye stand out.
• Pollinator Friendly: Large blossoms draw beneficial insects.
• Adaptable: Thrives in varied soils and urban conditions.
• Manageable Size: Fits hedges or single-specimen use without overwhelming the space.

Plant in full sun with well drained soil, prune in late winter to refresh growth, and water during dry spells to keep flowers abundant and the outline neat.