Rose of Sharon
Well, spring is here, officially on the calendar now. Stepping outside, it is obvious that winter has left us.
There are beautiful colors abounding in nature. And, of course, there is the pollen, everywhere too, it appears. Yes, spring is here.
With this warmer weather, I did some transplanting last weekend, including one of my favorite bushes, the colorful and easy to grow Rose of Sharon.
This bush is often thought as a Biblical plant, as the name first appeared in a King James Bible in the year 1611, in the Old Testament book Song of Solomon, 2:1.
The Rose of Sharon that is mentioned in the Bible, though, is not the popular bush that I was transplanting, as the Old Testament plant probably refers to a onion like bulb.
Although a member of the Hibiscus family, this Rose of Sharon is native to Asia. The flowering bush grows straight up, in almost a V shape formation, and usually grows no higher than six feet if left unattended.
Like all members of the Hibiscus family, the Rose of Sharon (or Rose Althea as it is also known by in some areas of the country) grows best in hot sunny locations, and Georgia is a fine state for its heat loving climate.
The Rose of Sharon is best known for its beautiful and abundant flowers, ranging in colors from attractive white, pink, red, lavender, or purple.
Oddly enough, the blooms are edible, and it is not unknown to find one in a salad, adding color to a meal. Hibiscus flowers only last one day before drying out, and the Rose of Sharon shares this trait.
Yet, mature bushes are usually filled with petals, and the bush will be in bloom for an extended period of time, perhaps through much of the summer.
As this bush easily drops seeds onto the ground in fall, Rose of Sharon’s can become invasive if one is not careful. A gardener may also propagate the bush through cuttings, as well as seeds.
Perhaps its ease of growth and propagation is one of the reasons why this attractive bush is the national flower of South Korea. Much of that nation’s literature is filled with pictures of the colorful flower.
Growing it is easy. As mentioned earlier, the Rose of Sharon does best in full sun.
Once it is established, it will easily survive Georgia’s summer heat, with little attention paid to it besides a weekly watering.
The bush looks great by itself as a centerpiece in a garden, and also looks striking growing in a row of five to seven plants, perhaps as a living fence. You will find that wildlife, such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, are attracted to the large flowers, as they are rich in pollen.
With the weather warming up, and garden nurseries stocking up on plants for spring and summer, grab a Rose of Sharon while you are out shopping next. This colorful bush will be an investment you will not regret. Enjoy!