‘Blue Bird’ Rose of Sharon is a rapidly growing, large, deciduous shrub that is a member of the Malvaceae (mallow) family. This multi-stemmed shrub has a vase to a rounded shape and is best known for its long bloom period from summer into fall, with large violet blue, pink, or purple trumpet shaped flowers. It grows to a height of 8 to 12 feet high and 6 to 10 to feet wide, so consider its space requirements when identifying its planting location. Rose of Sharon grows well in the piedmont region of North Carolina. Plant in full sun or partial shade, although it flowers best in full sun. It is easily grown in average soil but prefers occasionally moist soil that is high in organic matter. Prune it to shape lightly in the spring or prune it back hard in the winter which will help it produce larger flowers. Keep in mind that flowers will appear on new growth. This culitivar is sterile and does not produce seed. Rose of Sharon tolerates southern summers and salt well and is mildly resistant to foraging by wildlife. The large showy flowers attract many pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds making it a natural choice for a pollinator garden. Use it as a foundation plant, plant in small groups in a shrub border, or line up to create a hedge. or privacy green Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealybugs, and thrips are occasional problems. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Hibiscus syriacus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheHibiscus 'Fireball'Hibiscus syriacus 'Diana'Spiraea japonica Limemound® 'Monhub'
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Multi-stemmed; Rounded; Vase
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Lobed
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves have three lobes
Flower color
Blue; Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Trumpet
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Large, 3 in, showy, trumpet shaped, purple blue flowers with 5 petals last about one day and appear in the midsummer to early fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Specialized Bees
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Screen/Privacy; Specimen