Hibiscus syriacus Rosada - Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus Hibisa® 'Rosada' offers a spectacular flowering period that can be enjoyed from July until October. Its single, particularly large flowers are adorned with a soft salmon-pink hue, delicately veined in red around a small rose-red centre. This bush has a moderate growth habit, making it perfect for ornamental beds and cultivation in large pots. It is hardy down to -15°C and can tolerate fairly dry summers.

Hibiscus syriacus, also known as rose of Sharon, ketmia, or Syrian hibiscus, belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is a hardy deciduous bush native to East Asia, particularly China and Taiwan. Introduced to Europe via Syria, it is now widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. This species has given rise to numerous cultivars and has been hybridised with related species such as Hibiscus sinosyriacus and paramutabilis.

The Hibisa® Rosada cultivar is part of an interesting series known for its particularly large flowers with well-contrasted colours and ease of cultivation. The foliage of the Hibiscus in the Hibisa® series (including the cultivars ‘Cocktail’, ‘Blanco’, ‘Rosada’, and ‘Sangria’) has a unique, almost palmate appearance. The leaves are usually single, featuring deep, pronounced lobes with finely toothed edges. Each leaf is divided into 3 to 5 segments, with wavy or crinkled margins. They measure between 5 and 12 cm in length and about 4 to 10 cm in width, with a slightly leathery texture. The bright to dark green colour of the foliage beautifully complements the flowering. Like other Hibiscus syriacus, this foliage is deciduous: it falls in autumn and regrows in spring, somewhat late in the season.

Hibiscus Hibisa® Rosada has an upright, slightly spreading habit. This bush reaches approximately 2.5 metres in height and 1.5 metres in width when planted in the ground, while in pots, it maintains a more compact size, around 1.5 metres. Its large flowers, solitary in the leaf axils, measure between 16 and 20 cm in diameter. The five broad, silky-textured petals form a funnel-shaped corolla. At the centre, the stamens cluster into a long tube surrounding the style. Flowering begins in July and continues until October, with each ephemeral bloom giving way to the next in succession. The deep taproot system, with lateral roots extending horizontally to about 1.2 metres, provides the bush with good anchorage and some drought resistance.

Hibiscus Hibisa® Rosada makes a striking statement in the garden or on the terrace with its romantic and refined flowering. Whether planted alone, in a bed, or in a pot, its large flowers steal the show. To accompany it, choose other shrub hibiscus, such as 'White Chiffon', with its double pure white flowers, or 'Rose Moon', which also offers very large soft pink flowers with a red centre. Border roses like 'Astronomia', with its pink wild roses, or 'Schubert', with its small single bright pink flowers and white centres, will perfectly complement the romantic style of Hibiscus 'Rosada'.