Hardy Hibiscus/Rose of Sharon

Hi, I have 2 questions if you guys don't mind-

1) What is the difference between these 2? I thought that rose of sharon was just a hibiscus that would live without me bringing it inside but hardy is like that too? From what I see looking at plant sites, r of s gets taller? Is hardy and mallow the same thing?

2)Can I plant rose of sharon in a pot? I read that they look dead in the winter and I have a prominent place to put my blue satins, I wanted to try them in a pot first and make sure they like the area and I like them there. If they can be potted, can it be indefinately ( I thought maybe this would stunt their growth but hopefully not kill them)? If so, I would hide them in my courtyard during their ugly stage. I also have a white chiffon and 2 'purple' ones according to the nursery guy so i am waiting for that suprise to bloom, would like to put them in a container so I can see what they are and if I like them before I put them in the yard.

ok, that was several questions diguised as 2, sorry! I hope that someone can help me get this straight in my head! Thanks, Rachel

You can grow any of them in pots. You will need to water more often than if they were in the ground. And they will get really big so you may have to to a little 'bonsai' work on them every once in a while. (Take them out of the pot, trim back their roots, and then their tops, so as not to overload the remaining roots.)

As for your 1st question. I'm hoping someone will answer that because I want to know, too. ; - >

HTH,

Donna


BTW I have yet to come across an ugly period with mine.

From what I understand from reading the Sunset Western Garden Book, the hardy hibiscus is the perennial Hibiscus moscheutos otherwise known as Rose-Mallow. It is hardy Sunset zones 2-24. The Rose of Sharon is Hibiscus syriacus and is a deciduous shrub. It is hardy in the same zones. The Rose-Mallow is the one can have the really large flowers - up to l2" wide. Rose of Sharon has smaller flowers - often lots of them. Dotti

Thanks Donna and Dotti, I think I have it straight now. My r of s is about 3 feet tall maybe, what size pot would you suggest to start with?

Please excuse my mess in this pic, but they are the ones to the left of the greenhouse. Would a pot like the one in the bottom left corner with the yellow flowers be good for a couple years?

Thanks again! Rachel

Rachel,

That pot looks plenty big. Personally, I think you'd have real good luck with it.

Will you keep us up to date?


Donna

Butterqueen, I have both and they do great here in Michigan both get full sun and average watering. The rose of Sharon is about 8 fet tall and growing, it was planted by my mother about 40 years ago, and the hibiscus is about the same age. Every year I have a lot of seeds from both. This year the hardy hibiscus produces a lot. If yo would like any let me know. Just send 75 cents postage.
Ann Brown
3063 Follmer St
Niles, Mich 49120

Wow Ann, that is so nice! I will mail it tomorrow. If I ever mention something you want, let me know, I am new to trading and such :)

Rachel