‘Diana’ rose of Sharon is a large deciduous shrub in the Malvaceae (mallow) family. It matures to a height of 5 to 8 feet and a width of 4 to 6 feet, so consider its space requirement when identifying its planting location. Its pure white flowers with no eye are tubular in shape and bloom in summer. Despite its name, rose of Sharon is not related to roses at all. Plant in locations that receive full sun to partial shade and that have clay or loamy soil with good drainage and high in organic matter. It is a low-maintenance plant and has a medium growth rate. The plant is triploid, which means it does not produce seed. Rose of Sharon tolerates summer heat and humidity and wet sites and is resistant to black walnut rot. It is mildly resistant to deer damage. The plant tolerates pruning, but when pruning, keep in mind that flowers will appear on new growth. Its flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies and bees so use it in a pollinator or naturalized garden. Plant multiples for use as a privacy screen or hedge. Quick ID Hints : large, tropical looking, 5-petaled flowers erect, spreading habit with upright branches 3-lobed leaves are 2-4 inches long simple, alternate, coarsely toothed leaves 5-valved, dehiscent capsule persists thru winter Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers, " a plant identification course developed 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 'Blue Bird'Passiflora incarnata
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
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)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Multi-stemmed; Vase
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Rhomboidal
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Medium green, glossy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Hollyhock-like, 5-petaled
Bloom time
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.