Hibiscus syriacus Purple Ruffles - Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus 'Purple Ruffles', also known as Tree Mallow or Althaea, evokes the 'Chiffon' series hibiscus with its crumpled flowers and vigour. It produces large semi-double corollas, which are deep purple or lavender pink depending on the intensity of light. The flowers last as long as the summer does. The flowers open widely with a paler centre, discreetly highlighted with small red spots. They are short-lived, but continuously bloom on the plant, sometimes until October. This moderately sized variety forms a vigorous, upright shrub with dense branching and is adorned with beautiful, dark green lobed foliage in just a few years. Whether as a flowering hedge, in a border, or in a large container near the house, it is truly easy to cultivate in the sun, in well-drained ordinary soil, even slightly chalky and occasionally dry. It tolerates both cold and heat.

Hibiscus syriacus, also sometimes called Garden Hollyhock, is a hardy shrub that is deciduous in our climates but evergreen in warm climates. It belongs to the Malvaceae family, just like hollyhocks and marshmallows. It is native to temperate regions of Asia (China, India) and has given rise to numerous cultivars, including 'Purple Ruffles', which stands out for its healthy and vigorous growth, as well as its abundant double flowering. 'Purple Ruffles' forms a 2 m (6.6 ft) tall and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) wide shrub with an upright habit, supported by an erect but branched framework, with fairly rapid growth. It blooms from July to September, and its short-lived flowers, which fade within 24 hours, continuously renew themselves until October. They are 8 cm to 10 cm (3.1 in to 3.9 in) wide and composed of many rose-violet or purple petals with purple reflections. Its foliage is very healthy, bright green, slightly glossy, and takes on yellow hues in autumn. The leaves are alternate, simple, heart-shaped, and lobed, with toothed and undulating edges.

'Purple Ruffles' appreciates bright, warm exposures and can tolerate light shade. This hibiscus requires no maintenance and grows slowly but steadily. Plant it in a sheltered spot away from strong winds, in soil that remains somewhat moist until late 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 border composed of dwarf conifers, asters, or shrubby salvias, for example. Its moderate size allows it to be grown in a large pot with a nutritious substrate, so you can fully enjoy its flowering on a terrace or balcony.