A rose (of sharon) by any other name...

The Hibiscus family in late summer Toronto

Quite a few readers who stumble upon this blog through a post from last year titled "Freaking floriferous! (Yes, I admit, Rose of Sharons look nice right now)" are really in love with the Rose of Sharon and perennial hibiscus blooming profusely for about 2 months in Toronto. I kind of see why the love is shown but Hibiscus syriacus hybrids aren't on my top ten list for shrubs. The blooms don't have a scent and turn to mush when they drop, there's no fruit, bazillion seedlings often appear, the shrub doesn't have a strong structure or interesting bark, etc. The H. moscheutos perennials normally bloom late in the year and often need some babying with extra mulching to get it through a harsh winter in our city. And the tropical hibiscus many buy in the spring as standards are doomed by November.

No matter. People still whisk these guys off the garden centre shelves,  like anything else blooming. 


So to satisfy those with Hibiscus fever, here are some shots I took around the 'hood.

Hibiscus syriacus "Red Heart"

Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon"

Hibiscus syriacus "Lavender Chiffon" backlit

Hibiscus syriacus "China Chiffon"

Hibiscus syriacus "China Chiffon"

Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna Rose"

Hibiscus moscheutos "Kopper King"

 Hibiscus moscheutos "Luna White"

"High Voltage"  tropical hibiscus at
the Allan Gardens Conservatory 

By Paul Jung, author of "garden muses: a Toronto gardening blog"Google Google Find us on Google+ Find us on Google+

Freaking floriferous! (Yes, I admit, Rose of Sharons look nice right now)



Someone in Toronto loves her Rose of Sharon right now!

This is why we grow it (for 2 weeks a year)!

I worked at my client Dale's garden today and was astounded to see her Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) in full bloom. This is a double flowering variety called "Lavender Chiffon" and the shrub is absolutely loaded with flowers. You may not see it clearly but I "trussed" up the stems to prevent the top-heavy shrub from sprawling and to try to achieve a pseudo-standard look. Not exactly a Horticulture 101 best practice but the client is happy.

Bees were everywhere which will mean dozens of seedlings next spring. It's a small price to pay for such fleeting beauty.

Detail of "Lavender Chiffon" Rose of Sharon flower

I took several closeups of the different (to me) double flower type and this one seems a good example. Like the perennial Hibiscus or rosemallow, the petals have that crepe or chiffon texture.

D. found several "shiny metallic-green bugs" congregating and damaging a few flowers so I quickly introduced her to the Japanese beetle and gave her advice of disposing them between her fingers or under foot. 

Who has time for soapy water for these devils?