Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'Notwoodone' LAVENDER CHIFFON)
Discover Hibiscus syriacus 'Notwoodone' LAVENDER CHIFFON, a low-maintenance Rose of Sharon valued for its long bloom time and drought tolerance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The ‘Notwoodone’ cultivar, widely known as LAVENDER CHIFFON, offers exceptional late-season color, making it a star among deciduous shrubs. This specific Rose of Sharon variety is highly prized for its continuous bloom display lasting from mid-summer deep into autumn, providing valuable color when many other shrubs are fading. Its sterile nature is a significant advantage, as it reliably exhibits a dense, bushy habit in the landscape without the concern of aggressive reseeding typical of some older cultivars.
As a vigorous grower, the shrub handles a wide range of difficult conditions, proving remarkably resilient to heat, humidity, and common soil woes like clay. Gardeners appreciate the low maintenance required for this plant, which only needs occasional shaping pruning to maintain its upright, vase-like structure over successive growing seasons. Establishing Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON ensures long-term structural interest and beautiful lavender blooms.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Malvaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 5-8 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: July to October
- Bloom Description: Lavender (semi-double)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, site your Rose of Sharon where it receives full sun, though it tolerates partial shade well. Best flowering performance for Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON always occurs in brighter light conditions. Plant during the spring or fall, ensuring the soil is well-drained, as the plant dislikes sitting in standing water. While it prefers moist, organically rich media, it easily adapts to average soils and shows significant drought tolerance once established.
Watering should be consistent until the shrub is fully established. Aim for medium moisture levels, adjusting during intense summer heat waves. Fertilization is rarely necessary; rich soils often negate the need for supplemental feeding. Pruning is best performed in the spring before new growth starts. To encourage exceptionally larger blooms on your Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON, consider cutting back the previous year’s growth severely, leaving only 2-3 buds per stem during late winter dormancy.
This variety, benefiting from being sterile, requires less attention regarding cleanup from fallen seeds. If propagation is desired, stem cuttings are an effective method, though seedlings may lose the desirable flower characteristics of the parent plant. Pay close attention to Japanese beetles in summer, as they are the primary insect threat to the foliage.
Landscape Uses
The Rose of Sharon serves as an excellent structural element in the landscape due to its upright habit and extended flowering period. It looks superb massed together to create a formal screen or utilized as a strong vertical anchor within a mixed shrub border. Because Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON is so adaptable to various soil types, it works well near structural foundations where soil conditions might otherwise be challenging.
Consider pairing this shrub with late-blooming perennials that thrive in similar conditions, such as Coneflowers (Echinacea) or sturdy Sedums, to extend the perennial color scheme underneath its canopy. Its formality also allows it to stand alone as an informal specimen plant, perfectly showcasing the semi-double lavender blooms against foundational evergreens that offer year-round contrast. The ability to train this specific cultivar to a small tree form enhances its versatility in tighter garden spaces while still functioning effectively as a standalone hedge.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hibiscus syriacus, commonly called the Rose of Sharon or shrub althea, is known for its vigorous, upright, vase-shaped structure. Showy, hollyhock-like flowers cover the branches throughout the long summer-to-fall bloom period, each featuring a prominent stamenal column. The cultivar ‘Notwoodone’, sold as LAVENDER CHIFFON, is specifically noteworthy for its dense, bushy habit and its unique, anemone-like, semi-double lavender flowers featuring a center cluster of lavender stamenoid petaloids. Importantly for landscape maintenance, this specific strain is sterile and does not produce viable seed, preventing unwanted spread.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Clay Soil
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
This shrub generally enjoys good health, but like many members of the Mallow family, it can occasionally develop fungal issues, including leaf spots, rusts, and blights. Ensure air circulation is adequate to minimize these moisture-related diseases. Regular scouting during humid periods is recommended for early detection and treatment.
The most common aesthetic issue is damage caused by Japanese beetles, which can rapidly skeletonize the leaves during their feeding cycles in mid-summer. If beetle populations are high, immediate action such as hand-picking or targeted insecticide application may be necessary to preserve the foliage quality, especially on high-visibility specimens like the beautiful Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON. Aphids and whiteflies are less common pests to monitor for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Rose of Sharon suitable for?
The Rose of Sharon, including the LAVENDER CHIFFON cultivar, is generally hardy across USDA Zones 5 through 8, making it a reliable choice for many temperate climates.
How large does Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON grow?
This specific cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 5 and 8 feet, with a symmetrical spread generally ranging from 4 to 6 feet wide.
When does Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON bloom?
This variety offers an extended season of color, beginning its heavy bloom time in July and often continuing uninterrupted until October, showcasing its lavender, semi-double flowers.
What sun exposure does Rose of Sharon need?
Rose of Sharon performs best in full sun conditions, which promotes the heaviest flowering, although it is remarkably adaptable and will tolerate part shade if necessary.
Conclusion
The Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON offers tremendous landscape value through its abundant, extended flowering period and its robust tolerance for challenging urban and poor soil conditions. For gardeners seeking reliable, late-summer color with minimal fuss, this sterile Rose of Sharon is an excellent investment. Before planting, confirm that your site falls within USDA Zones 5-8 and select the sunniest spot available to maximize the stunning lavender floral display.
Companion Planting
When planning the garden around your Rose of Sharon, focus on companions that enjoy similar sun exposure and soil texture. Late-blooming asters and hardy ornamental grasses complement the shrub’s structure and bloom time perfectly. Since this Hollyhock relative is quite durable, pairing it with plants known for drought tolerance, such as certain varieties of Yarrow (Achillea) or Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), ensures uniform maintenance needs across the border.
Container Growing
Although ideal for in-ground planting, the compact size of Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodone’ LAVENDER CHIFFON (reaching only 5-8 feet) makes it a superior choice for large container use on patios or decks. Use a high-quality potting mix amended with compost to provide good structure and moisture retention in the confined space. Ensure the container has excellent drainage holes, and anticipate slightly more frequent watering requirements than if it were planted in the ground, especially during hot summers.
