Rose of Sharon, Althea (Hibiscus syriacus)

Great picture!

Thank you very much htop! Ever now and then I'll luck out and snap a decent foto. Notice the rain drop on that leaf on the left.

Dear tcfromky,

What a perfect bloom. I note the acidic soil requirement. Is this a definite thing? I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

liewsc

Hello liewsc,

The soil requirement listings at the plant link says that there are three levels of acidity for rose of Sharon.
My rose of Sharon is in a spot where the soil has not been tested for acidity. I'm almost sure that the acidic level of the soil where it's at is rather low and it's doing fine in this spot.

What climate zone are you located in?

TC...

Did you prune your plant this winter, that you got such a nice large flower?

nancyjo, that bloom was from last year and it had several more. I just happened to take a pretty good photo of one of the blooms. I havn't pruned it yet, it's still in its early growth stages, only about 4 feet tall, if that.

TC...

How many inches across is this bloom and are they hardy in zone 6? It is picture perfect and could easily win a photo contest. Thanks.

Hello 1babe, and welcome to DG, I see you just joined in April. Glad to have you here on what I call the "Best Gardening Website In Cyberspace."

I didn't measure the bloom, but would guesstimate it being at least 4 inches across. When it blooms this year, I'll take a measurement.

Yes, this particular hibiscus is hardy to zone 6 and very easy to grow.

Thanks for your warm compliment.

TC...

Saw Althea at the nursery. I will be getting this one soon. Not sure which color tho.

Welcome to DG Osteole!

You'll be very pleased with 'Rose of Sharon'.

TC...

Your the first person to welcome me!! Thank you very much!

I have this variety, but I dont think it will over-winter here. Much to my dismay!!

I have a red and orange, label didn't give variety name

O, (I sometimes shorten folk's id names, in yer case a lot, hope ya don't mind),

I was lookin through my AHS Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and didn't see the particular name or color of the gorgeous variety in your mighty fine photo.

It's a beauty!

And yer welcome, for the Welcome! ;~)

TC...

lol....no one has ever called me "O". Now I feel Oprahish!
!

I don't aim to make ya feel uncomfortable Osteole. ;~)

I've been lookin all over the cyber-place tryin to find another pic of yer particular hibiscus so I could tell ya the variety name, but alas, success alludes me.

TC...

Super!

I would like to add that variety name to my own personal plant database

http://home.centurytel.net/mhfikki/garden.htm

This message was edited May 28, 2004 11:08 AM

maybe someone can help me. i have this variety and it's been doing quite well until the recent storms in PA. it's drooping. not broken. but can i prune now without harming? my plant is about 10ft tall...hundreds of blooms...i've never done anything to it since i planted it at least 10 years ago.

thanx for any help

Hi justforge,

Wait until all blooms have faded. Then it should be okay to prune.