| Two Outstanding National Arboretum Introductions | | | | virtually sterile so they produce no unwanted |
| Three different plants are commonly called Hibiscus - | | | | seedlings, which are the bane of the common |
| the tropical houseplant, the perennial rose mallow with | | | | Rose-of-Sharon. Sterility also causes these varieties |
| dinner plate-sized flowers that dies to the ground | | | | to be unusually long blooming as they produce more |
| each fall and the Rose-of-Sharon or shrub Althea. | | | | flowers in a futile attempt to set seeds. The beautiful |
| Rose-of-Sharons are easy-to-grow, tall flowering | | | | flowers are enhanced by the deep green glossy |
| shrubs that will bring amazing color to your garden | | | | foliage - deeper green than I have seen on any other |
| throughout the summer. Native to much of Asia, | | | | Rose-of-Sharon.Either variety can be trained as a |
| they thrive in the heat of summer. The USDA has | | | | small tree or planted in masses as a screen. 'Diana' |
| introduced four cultivars of Rose-of-Sharon over the | | | | and 'Helene' are particularly attractive planted around |
| years. Two are unimpressive; two are outstanding - | | | | a deck, patio or swimming pool - either in the ground |
| in our opinion the two best Rose-of-Sharon in | | | | or in pots.Planting and CarePlant in full sun; will grow |
| existence: Hibiscus syriacus 'Helene' and Hibiscus | | | | and bloom in moderate shade. Tolerant of a broad |
| syriacus 'Diana.''Helene' produces gorgeous, pure white | | | | range of soil moisture conditions from moist to, once |
| flowers with prominent ruby red throats. 'Diana' | | | | established, quite dry. Will not tolerate soggy soils. |
| produces waxy, pure white flowers.Both are a vase | | | | Use a handful of Plant-Tone fertilizer in early spring. If |
| shaped, multi-stemmed deciduous shrubs with a | | | | necessary, prune in spring before the leaves appear. |
| vigorous upright growth habit. They mature to a | | | | Rated as deer resistant. Hardy in Zones 5 - 9. Alan |
| height of 8-12 feet by 6 feet wide and can be | | | | Summers, president of Carroll Gardens, Inc., has over |
| trained as a large shrub or a small tree. Both varieties | | | | 30 years experience in gardening and landscape |
| produce flowers with broad overlapping petals of an | | | | design. |
| unusually heavy waxy substance. Both are also | | | | |