Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'Lucy')
Discover Hibiscus syriacus 'Lucy', a low-maintenance Rose of Sharon featuring spectacular double red-pink blooms from June to October.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’, widely known as Rose of Sharon, offers gardeners a reliable burst of late-season color in a convenient shrub form. This specific cultivar is highly valued for its dense, double flowers of rich red-pink, which bloom continuously well into autumn. As a vigorous, upright, vase-shaped deciduous shrub, it provides excellent structure even when dormant.
The appeal of Rose of Sharon lies in its durability and long blooming period, stretching from early summer right through October. It thrives in heat and humidity, making it a stalwart performer in warmer climates, and demands relatively little attention once established. Gardeners appreciate the visual impact of Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ when used as a screen or specimen planting against summer landscape slumps.
Beyond the showy flowers, this shrub is adaptable to various soil types and offers good tolerance to urban stresses. Its sterile nature, characteristic of the ‘Lucy’ cultivar, minimizes unwanted self-seeding, offering beauty without the cleanup hassle of more aggressive varieties.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Malvaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-8 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: June to October
- Bloom Description: Red-pink (double)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant this deciduous shrub in spring or fall, allowing it time to establish a strong root system before facing summer heat. Choose a location that receives full sun for the most prolific blooming, though Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ tolerates part shade. It performs best in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils, but this Rose of Sharon is notably tolerant of poorer soils and drought once mature.
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently medium moist, especially during the first year after planting or during prolonged dry spells. Fertilization is typically unnecessary if planted in fertile soil, but a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can encourage stronger growth. While maintenance is low, pruning is beneficial.
For shaping the shrub or controlling size, prune in the spring. Gardeners seeking larger individual blooms on their Rose of Sharon should reduce the plant back severely in late winter, cutting branches back to only 2-3 buds. Be aware that species plants can self-seed aggressively, though the sterile ‘Lucy’ cultivar minimizes this issue.
Landscape Uses
The upright, vase shape of Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ makes it an outstanding choice for creating informal privacy screens or tall hedges that offer vibrant color. Plant several together in groups for massed color displays that anchor the back of a border, providing excellent late-season impact. It also serves well as a strong specimen plant where its distinctive double blooms can be appreciated up close.
Due to its tolerance for clay soil and urban conditions, this Rose of Sharon is suitable for foundation plantings, provided adequate space is given for its mature spread of 4 to 6 feet. Consider pairing it with early-season blooming shrubs or summer perennials that offer contrasting textures or foliage color, ensuring continuous interest throughout the gardening season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hibiscus syriacus, commonly called rose of Sharon or shrub althea, is a vigorous, upright, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that typically grows 8-12’ tall. It may be trained as a small tree or espalier. Showy, hollyhock-like, 5-petaled flowers (to 3” diameter) appear over a long, early-summer to fall bloom period. ‘Lucy’ is a double-flowered, sterile, triploid cultivar that features double red-pink flowers (to 4” diameter) and usually matures to 6-8’ tall.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Clay Soil
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
The primary concerns for Rose of Sharon involve fungal diseases such as leaf spots, blights, and rusts, along with occasional canker. Good air circulation, achieved through proper spacing or judicious spring pruning, helps mitigate these issues. Monitor foliage closely for early signs of spotting and remove affected leaves promptly.
Insect pests that occasionally target this plant include Japanese beetles, whiteflies, and aphids. Japanese beetles are often the most damaging, capable of skeletonizing the foliage if infestation levels are high. Treating early with insecticidal soap or hand-picking beetles in the morning can manage minor outbreaks effectively for your Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Rose of Sharon suitable for?
Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ is well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8, offering dependable performance across a wide range of climates.
When does Rose of Sharon bloom?
This highly valuable shrub blooms consistently across a long season, typically starting in June and continuing its display of red-pink double flowers all the way to October.
How large does Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ grow?
This cultivar usually matures to a manageable size, reaching heights between 6 and 8 feet tall with a spread ranging from 4 to 6 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Rose of Sharon need?
For the best results and maximum bloom production, ensure your Rose of Sharon receives full sun, although it will tolerate conditions leaning toward part shade.
Conclusion
The ability of Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ to deliver vibrant, double red-pink blooms late in the season, combined with its low maintenance and tough tolerances, secures its spot in many landscapes. This robust Rose of Sharon is a fantastic addition for gardeners seeking reliable, long-lasting color. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan to plant this spring or fall for stunning summer color next year.
Companion Planting
When selecting neighbors for Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’, focus on plants that thrive in similar full sun to part shade conditions and appreciate medium moisture. Early-blooming perennials like Peonies or Siberian Irises offer great spring visual interest before the Rose of Sharon takes center stage. For complementary foliage, consider low-growing plants with fine texture, such as ornamental grasses or low-mounding Sedums, which provide contrast to the shrub’s bolder leaf shape.
Consider using plants with silvery or chartreuse foliage to really make the deep red-pink flowers of the ‘Lucy’ cultivar pop during mid-summer. Plants that prefer slightly drier conditions once established, like many hardy Geraniums, can benefit from the consistent, medium moisture provided to the base of the shrub. Proper spacing is key, ensuring air circulation around the base of the Rose of Sharon to discourage potential foliar diseases.
Propagation Tips
While the species form of Rose of Sharon can often be grown from seed, starting Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ this way is unreliable for maintaining its desirable double flower trait. Successful propagation for this specific sterile cultivar relies on vegetative methods, most commonly stem cuttings. Softwood cuttings taken in early summer are often the most successful starting material for rooting.
Take cuttings from new, soft growth just below a leaf node, ensuring each cutting has at least two nodes. Dip the base in rooting hormone before placing them in a sterile, moist medium, such as a mix of peat moss and perlite. Providing bottom heat and high humidity will greatly improve the success rate for establishing new Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ plants for future garden use.
