25 Heirloom Rose of sharon shrubs{Hibiscus syriacus}Hibiscus seeds Rose of sharon shrubs { Hibiscus syriacus} is a widely cultivated ornamental shrub in the genus Hibiscus. Common names include Rose of Sharon (especially in North America), Shrub Althea, and Rose of Althea. Characteristics of Rose of Sharon: Generally speaking, rose of sharon bushes can get 8'-10' tall and have a spread of 4'-6'. However, some cultivars stay shorter (e.g., Hibiscus syriacus 'Minerva' reaches only 5'-8'). Blooms on rose of sharon can be white, red, lavender or light blue; some have double blooms. Most rose of sharon bushes bear small, deeply-lobed, light-green leaves (may vary according to cultivar). Pick a good location with partial to full sun for planting your Rose of Sharon. This plant is extremely tolerant of neglect as well as dry conditions. It can handle heat after it's been established for a few months. Remember this plant may reach a height of over 10 feet so give it plenty of room to grow. You can place it near other plants; in fact, Rose of Sharon looks best that way. Just leave about 2 to 3 feet around the plant to allow for expansion. Grow from seed . Full sun, rich, well-draining, moist soil. late spring and throughout summer, bottom heat may be helpful. Good in pollution-prone areas. Zone 5-9