Hibiscus syriacus French Cabaret Red - Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus 'French Cabaret Red', also known as Tree Mallow or Althaea, offers an abundant late flowering in August-September, in the form of double and delicately crumpled flowers, of an elegant, deep and nuanced magenta-red colour. This shrub is also distinguished by particularly vigorous vegetation, and covers its upright silhouette with dense and abundant foliage, of a vibrant green. It is unrivalled in its ability to liven up a flowery hedge, flower bed or large container near the house, until the beginning of autumn. This recent variety is easy to grow in the sun, in ordinary soil, and even soil that is slightly limestone and occasionally dry. It is not afraid of cold or heat.

Hibiscus syriacus, sometimes called Garden Hibiscus, is a hardy deciduous shrub in colder climates, but evergreen in warm climates, belonging to the mallow family, just like hollyhocks and marsh mallows. It is native to temperate regions of Asia, and has given rise to numerous cultivars including the 'French Cabaret' series, developed in France, which is distinguished by healthy and vigorous growth, and abundant flowering of sterile flowers that do not produce fruit. 'French Cabaret Red' forms a 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall and 1 m (3 ft 4 in) to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) wide bush, with an upright habit, supported by an erect and vigorous branching structure, with relatively slow growth. It blooms in September, even in August in southern regions, and its ephemeral flowers continuously renew themselves until October. They are composed of numerous dark red petals, with bluish reflections. Its foliage is very healthy, vibrant green and slightly glossy. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to lanceolate, with serrated and undulate edges.

The 'French Cabaret Red' Althaea likes bright, warm exposures, and can tolerate light shade in southern regions. This hibiscus requires no maintenance and grows slowly but surely. Plant it sheltered from strong winds, in soil that remains slightly moist until the end of summer. This highly ornamental variety can be used as a medium-sized hedge, in combination with other hibiscus of different colours, as well as in isolation or at the back of a perennial flower bed composed of asters, dwarf conifers or shrubby salvias, for example. Its modest size allows it to be grown in a large container, in a nutritious substrate, to fully enjoy its flowering on the terrace or balcony.