Hibiscus syriacus Leopoldii - Rose of Sharon

The Hibiscus syriacus 'Leopoldii' is an old variety of tree mallow that still charms with the beauty and abundance of its large pale pink flowers with crumpled hearts, speckled with red. This generous bush blooms from July to October, as long as it is mild, and it perfectly withstands cold winters despite its exotic appearance. It deserves a prominent place near the house, as a standalone plant in the centre of a perennial border, or even in a large container on the terrace. Hibiscus syriacus is easily grown in non-scorching sun or partial shade, in slightly moist soil, even limestone, in all climates.

The Hibiscus syriacus, sometimes called Garden Hibiscus, is a hardy deciduous bush in our climates, but evergreen in warm climates, belonging to the mallow family, just like hollyhocks and marshmallows. It is native to temperate regions of Asia and has given rise to numerous cultivars, including the lovely Leopoldii variety, parent of the very beautiful 'French Cabaret'. This bush, with fairly slow growth, has an upright, bushy, somewhat stiff habit. It will not exceed 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in height and 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in width. Its foliage is dense, fairly dark green, slightly glossy, and strongly serrated along the edges. It turns yellow in November before falling and appears quite late in spring. Flowering begins in July and continues until September-October. Each flower only lives for one day, but they are produced in large numbers on the branches. The Leopoldii variety offers corollas of 7-8 cm (2.8-3.1 in) in pale pink cups, sometimes striped red, with a dark red centre and a tangle of smaller petals.

The 'Leopoldii' Althaea likes bright, warm exposure and can tolerate light shade in warmer climates. Plant it sheltered from strong winds, in a soil that remains slightly moist until the end of summer to support flowering and the freshness of its foliage. This truly charming bush is not delicate and high-maintenance. It can be planted in all areas, especially in small gardens. It pairs well with pink or white shrubby lavenders as well as other flowering bushes like buddleias or repeat-flowering roses. Hibiscus syriacus is often planted in flowering hedges, mixing varieties for a beautiful multicoloured effect. It can also be grown in a large container, in fertile soil, to fully enjoy its flowering on the terrace.