Sugar Tip Rose of Sharon

Sugar Tip Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'Sugar Tip')

Sugar Tip Rose of Sharon is a semi-dwarf, upright shrub prized for brightly variegated creamy white and bluish green foliage and loads of clear pink, fully double summer flowers. Compact, space-saving habit and sterile blooms provide long, tidy color in sunny beds and borders.

Distinctive Features

Showy variegated leaves offer season-long interest, while fluffy double pink flowers appear on new wood and are seedless, avoiding nuisance seedlings. Heat, drought, and salt tolerant once established.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade; best flowering and foliage color in full sun.
• Soil: Average, well drained soil; tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline and coastal conditions.
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist during establishment, then water during extended dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: Typically 5 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Variegated foliage and double pink blooms create a high-contrast summer accent.
• Hedges and Screens: Forms a colorful privacy panel in sunny sites.
• Mixed Borders: Adds late-season flower power and foliage interest.
• Small Gardens: Semi-dwarf size fits tight spaces and courtyards.
• Coastal Landscapes: Tolerates salt spray with good drainage.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply water the first season; increase frequency during hot, dry weather.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and encourage vigorous new growth for bloom.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in spring if needed; avoid excess nitrogen that can reduce flowering.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 inch mulch to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch off stems.
• Notes: Sterile flowers mean no unwanted seedlings; site in full sun for richest leaf variegation and bud set.

Why Choose Sugar Tip Rose of Sharon?

• Season-Long Foliage: Variegated leaves provide interest before, during, and after bloom.
• Seedless Blooms: Double pink flowers without self-seeding.
• Manageable Size: Semi-dwarf habit suits gardens and foundation lines.
• Tough Performer: Heat, drought, and salt tolerant once established.
• Low Upkeep: Simple pruning and modest water after establishment.

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