A Rose of Sharon That Doesn’t Produce Unwanted Seedlings

What comes to mind when you think of “ sure-enough schoolhouse ” or “ classic ” plant ? You might retrieve of your grandmother’sbigleaf hydrangea(Hydrangea macrophyllaand CV . , Zones 5–9 ) , mutual lilac ( Syringavulgarisand cvs . , Zones 3–7 ) , forsythia ( Forsythiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–8 ) , or her ultimate classic — come up of Sharon ( Hibiscussyriacus * and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) . Native to China and India , originate of Sharon , or althea , was introduced to the Americas prior to the 1600s . It has fend the trial of metre for several reason , including its ability to boom with most no care . It is also the only woodyHibiscusspecies that is hardy north of Zone 8 . That , combined with its ease ofgrowing from seedand its dependable blooms , made it a great go by - along flora for hundred of years — a benediction and a curse .

Rose of Sharondid settle out of favor in the latter part of the last century , but in recent years there has been a resurgence in novel and improved cultivar . Breeders have been developing plant life with variegated foliage , double peak , and dwarf and columnlike forms , as well as works that do n’t farm seed . I have hoard a collection of over 25 of the newest cultivar at the University of Tennessee Gardens in Jackson . There are so many safe ones that it is voiceless to choose a standout , but if urge , I would say that Pollypetite ® is among my most late favorites .

Growing into a small rounded use , this choice has large , glum light-green , maple - like leaves , and large , soft , lilac-colored - pink flowers with no eye . It begins to bloom in recent outflow . Both its leaves and its bloom are bigger than those of conventional pink wine of Sharons , making it bet more like a tropical hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa - sinensisand cvs . , Zones 9–11 ) but without being garish and brassy . When it is grown in average to good garden atmospheric condition , blooms continue into fall . For the best flower production , this shrub should be grown in six or more hours of direct sunshine . Bees , butterflies , and hummingbird are attracted to its ambrosia , and the large petals make for an easy landing .

Pollypetite ® is a second - generation hybrid and has the gamy story of sterility ever seen in rose of Sharons , effectively figure out the trouble of undesirable seedlings in your garden . It is the result of an openpollinated hybridization between two cultivars of Hibiscus paramutabilis × syriacus , ‘ Tosca ’ and ‘ Lohegrin ’ , by legendary horticulturist Polly Hill ( 1907–2007 ) . The hybrid , given the cultivar name ‘ Rosina ’ in 1997 , has been lately rebranded and brought to market with the trademark name Pollypetite ® .

Like other rose of Sharons , Pollypetite ® is tolerant of a wide-eyed range of territory types ; once establish , it is drought tolerant as well . It is also deer resistant . I have happen it to not be very attractive in a nursery pot and to be a footling slow to jump in the landscape — like some other dwarf shrub — but it is well deserving the wait in the end . Its compact size , antisepsis , and ability to thrive in a full reach of weather condition make this plant a achiever in most gardens .

Pollypetite®rose of Sharon

Hibiscus‘Rosina’

Zones:5–9

Conditions : Full Dominicus ; adaptable to a wide range of average to wry soil type

aboriginal cooking stove : China , India

*Invasive Alert:

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

This plant is considered incursive in TN and WV .

Please visitinvasiveplantatlas.orgfor more information .

Jason Reeves has been assign plants to the tryout at the University of Tennessee in Jackson since 2002 and can be followed on Facebook at“Jason Reeves – in the garden . ”

Illustration : Elara Tanguy

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Pollypetite rose of Sharon

Photo: courtesy of Jason Reeves

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