# Rose of Sharon (*Hibiscus syriacus*) The Rose of Sharon is a special kind of hibiscus that blooms beautifully in summer. Its flowers are often large and stunning! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Gardens and sunny areas - **Also known as:** Rose of Sharon Hibiscus, Shrub Althea ![Rose of Sharon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ruhland%252C_Grenzstr._3%252C_Straucheibisch%252C_Bl%C3%BCte%252C_Fr%C3%BChling%252C_05.jpg&width=800) Photo: Wilhelm Zimmerling PAR, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ruhland%252C_Grenzstr._3%252C_Straucheibisch%252C_Bl%C3%BCte%252C_Fr%C3%BChling%252C_05.jpg) ## Appearance The Rose of Sharon has large, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in white, pink, purple, or blue, often with a contrasting deep red or purple eye. These vibrant blossoms sit on an upright, multi-stemmed shrub. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malvales - **Family:** Malvaceae - **Genus:** Hibiscus ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, it's not a rose at all; it's a member of the hibiscus family! - Its stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers can be as big as a child's hand! - Some varieties create a striking "eye" of contrasting color at the flower's center! - This tough plant can grow over 10 feet tall, almost like a small tree! ## Special abilities - **Endless Blooms:** Rose of Sharon can produce abundant, showy flowers all summer long, ensuring many chances for pollination and seed production. - **Thirsty Plant Protector:** Has thick, tough leaves that help it reduce water loss, allowing it to thrive even during dry spells. - **Seed Launcher:** Develops sturdy seed pods that burst open to release seeds, helping new plants grow far and wide. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 200-400 cm - **Spread:** 150-300 cm - **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer-fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees collect nectar and pollen, aiding in reproduction. - **Pollinates:** common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Bumblebees are vital pollinators for its showy flowers. - **Pollinates:** [eastern tiger swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio glaucus*) — Butterflies sip nectar, transferring pollen between flowers. - **Eaten by:** [white-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer browse on its leaves and tender stems. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rose of Sharon? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Rose of Sharon? 200-400 cm ### How wide does Rose of Sharon spread? 150-300 cm ### How big are the flowers on Rose of Sharon? 5-10 cm ### When does Rose of Sharon bloom? Summer-fall ### Is Rose of Sharon edible? Yes ### Is Rose of Sharon toxic? None ### What is Rose of Sharon's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Central Shelby Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-shelby-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Chatham Arch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chatham-arch) — Indiana, US · Neighborhood - [Fairlie-Poplar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairlie-poplar) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood - [Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-institute-of-technology-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Inman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/inman-park) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Rose of Sharon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rose-of-sharon) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Rose of Sharon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-of-sharon)