Stargazer Perennials Garden Journal: HARDY HIBISCUS OR ROSE OF SHARON ARE EASY TO GROW FLOWERING SHRUBS THAT ARE ALSO DEER RESISTANT!

Stargazer Perennials Garden Journal

HARDY HIBISCUS OR ROSE OF SHARON ARE EASY TO GROW FLOWERING SHRUBS THAT ARE ALSO DEER RESISTANT!

Hibiscus syriacus, Rose of Sharon or hardy hibiscus as it is commonly known, is a versatile, low maintenance flowering landscape shrub that comes in a variety of bloom colors and sizes. At our farm we grow a variety of Rose of Sharon flowering shrubs both for sale and to grace our display gardens. Deer resistant, low maintenance and dependable, Rose of Sharon is a favorite of ours and our clients alike. Pictured here are a few of the varieties that we currently grow including Lavender Chiffon, White Chiffon, Lil'Kim and Blue Satin.

Easy to care for, all Rose of Sharon varieties with the exception of the dwarf Lil'Kim, can be planted into a landscape to mature as a large flowering shrub reaching up to 8 feet in height or and can be trained easily into a gorgeous small tree form that you can plant a perennial garden beneath. Hibiscus Lil'Kim is a new introduction from Proven Winners Color Choice shrubs and reaches only 3 feet in height and width making it ideal for small gardens or as a flowering patio container plant.

Rose of Sharon can be heavily pruned in the fall or spring since it blooms on new growth. The newest Rose of Sharon cultivars, the Chiffon Series pictured here have a superior growth and flowering habit when compared to some of the older cultivars. Tolerant to many soil types they prefer moderate watering once established. Avoid planting hardy Hibiscus in soil that is boggy or saturated especially in the winter, or consider planting in a raised bed or berm to improve drainage.

Nomenclature notes: Hibiscus Greek for mallow-like and syriacus: of Syria.