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