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wildmutt

Rose of Sharon (aka Althea, Hibiscus syriacus) zone 10?

wildmutt
11 years ago

I have read that growing this in zone 10 is folly.

Any experience to share?

Thanks,

Gina

Comments (5)

  • Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
    11 years ago

    Gina,

    This is just my experience. I have two of them that struggle here in Jacksonville, Zone 9A, which I think is the high end of their zone tolerance. As you already know, they are related to hibiscus but rose of sharon are more cold-hardy. They generally are described as hardy in Zones 5A-9A. The problem is that they need sun to bloom yet can't tolerate all that heat. So it is a struggle for them, even here in Jacksonville. That doesn't stop Home Depot and Lowes from fully stocking them every spring. :)

    Maybe someone here can tell both of us how to make them happy in Florida?

    Carol

  • L_in_FL
    11 years ago

    Hmm, "happy" may be a strong word, but my mother has one older than me. (8B/9A border, Panama City area.) It's in fairly heavy shade from oak trees. It's sparse, tall and leggy, but it does bloom every year. I don't believe she ever does anything with it. Perhaps it's just a really determined specimen.

  • happy_girl
    11 years ago

    I have two, here in St. Cloud.Both are in full morning sun & afternoon shade. My friend sent the seed from Michigan. They are not huge plants but both bloom every year. They are white with a deep red throat. You never know until you try.

  • Tom
    11 years ago

    I have had one for about 12 years in zone 9B. It is now declining but has been blooming very well for all these years. It was the first plant that I saw hummingbirds use.

    Mine is in partial shade. I would say it receives about 4 or 5 hours of sun a day. I love this plant. It is beautiful and survives all of the freezes here in Central Florida. I live in Clermont, which is about twenty miles due West of Orlando.

  • Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
    11 years ago

    Here's some info I saved from this forum in 2005. Note that I'm the original poster (!). Too funny.

    =======================
    Rose of Sharon (Althea)
    Posted by Love_the_Yard z9A Jax FL (My Page) on Sun, Aug 21, 05 at 23:26
    Ambersky,
    Where did you plant your new double pink Rose of Sharon (althea)? I
    too bought one last week - also a double pink. The tag says "full to
    part sun". I've noticed a few posts that say they struggle with the
    heat here in Florida. I'm thinking about part shade. (It's on the
    screened-in porch in the shade righ now and actually seems pretty
    happy - haha!) What did you do?
    Carol


    Follow-Up Postings:
    RE: Rose of Sharon (Althea)
    Posted by: claferg z9a Volusia FL (My Page) on Mon, Aug 22, 05 at 10:42
    My experience with Rose Of Sharon is part shade, or morning sun and
    afternoon shade. They seem to do very nicely in these situations.
    I have a single white, a double white and two single purples and
    they are doing great.
    I think the mistake most people who are unfamiliar with Rose of
    Sharon make is planting them in full sun like a hibiscus. Up north
    this is no problem, but here in Florida
    they really suffer during the hot months in full sun.

    RE: Rose of Sharon (Althea)
    Posted by: SnickerKitten Z9b FL (My Page) on Mon, Aug 22, 05 at 20:21
    Mine gets sunlight filtered by some larger plants. She's come back
    from being a stick with a few yellow leaves to being full of lush
    dark green leaves and at last count, 2 blooms and 15 buds!
    Lori

    RE: Rose of Sharon (Althea)
    Posted by: SnickerKitten Z9b FL (My Page) on Wed, Aug 24, 05 at 14:41
    Make that six absolutely gorgeous blooms!
    Lori

    RE: Rose of Sharon (Althea)
    Posted by: mistiaggie z10 FL (My Page) on Mon, Sep 12, 05 at 15:54
    I have some "sticks" from cuttings that I've had for a year and they
    put out little bitty leaves and that's it. no new growth....maybe
    it's too hot here?

    RE: Rose of Sharon (Althea)
    Posted by: bruggirl100 z9 FL (My Page) on Mon, Sep 12, 05 at 19:15
    I have one that has done absolutely nothing in 4 years. I think it's
    too hot, but then, I have it in full sun.