Hibiscus syriacus Three Sisters (Lavender Chiffon, Blue Chiffon, White Chiffon) - Rose of Sharon

The Hibiscus syriacus Three Sisters brings together three different varieties of Althea in a single pot to dazzle and amaze those around you with multicoloured white, blue, and mauve flowers. This composition is made up of three variations of the same variety, all of which have large double flowers with a charmingly wrinkled centre. By combining these three bushes, you can create a beautiful decoration for your terrace or balcony. Hibiscus syriacus, or Tree Mallow, can tolerate cold and heat very well. It will reward you with a long period of summer flowering that can even extend into autumn.

The Hibiscus syriacus, also known as Garden Hibiscus or Tree Mallow, is a hardy deciduous shrub in regions with cooler climates but remains evergreen in warmer areas. It belongs to Malvaceae's large family, comprising over 240 genera and 4200 species. The Hibiscus syriacus is native to temperate regions of Asia, such as China and India, and there are numerous remarkable cultivars available on the market today, showcasing the beauty of their flowers that resemble the tropical cousin, the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. This robust shrub offers a wide range of colours, making it a popular choice for gardeners.

Three Sisters offers an easy solution for those who struggle to choose from various colours. With Three Sisters, you can get three different colours in one pot, all from the same range of flowers. These flowers were developed by Dr Roderick Woods, an English breeder, and share the same wrinkled appearance with large flowers about 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter. The first variety available in the range is Lavender Chiffon, which has a bushy habit with numerous, rather upright stems. The Hibiscus plant is medium-sized, reaching up to 2m (6ft 7in) in height when grown in open ground, with a spread of 1m (3ft 4in) to 1.50m (4ft 11in). Its compactness makes it ideal for container culture, particularly for composition purposes. From July to October, the plant blooms with large, characteristic corollas typical of the Hibiscus genus. Although the flowers are short-lived, they are constantly replaced by new ones. These flowers have a beautiful double appearance with many wrinkled petals in the centre, which gives them a charming look. Their colour is a mix of mauve and lavender with red streaks towards the centre. The deciduous leaves are green and simple with a heart-shaped and lobed appearance. They have a serrated and wavy edge.

The second type of Hibiscus, White Chiffon, has similar vegetative characteristics to the other two varieties. It has a dense and branched habit but stands apart with its immaculate white flowers. Unlike the other two varieties, the White Chiffon's flowers do not have central red streaks and are double with a wrinkled centre. They provide a nice contrast to the medium green foliage and the flowers of the other two Hibiscus types in the arrangement.

Dr Woods' latest addition to their range is Blue Chiffon. This hibiscus variety borrowed the colour from the famous 'Blue Bird', one of the most well-known single blue-flowered varieties. The flower of Blue Chiffon is double, with very fine central petals marked with red towards their base, unlike the petals on the periphery. This composition of Hibiscus Three Sisters is quite hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4 °F). It flourishes in full sun or dappled shade in hot climates. It can adapt to most soils, even limestone, if planted in the ground. It requires only a few waterings in summer to support flowering and prevent premature yellowing of the leaves. Although it tolerates drought well, remember that a potted plant cannot draw water from deep as it would in open ground. Prune it relatively short at the end of winter, balancing each variety so that none dominates the others.

The Althaea Three Sisters are great for decorating a terrace or adding interest to a pathway. You can pair them with other potted plants for an even more inviting space. The Red Lady Shrubby Cinquefoil is an excellent choice if you're looking for a low-growing shrub that blooms for an extended period. It produces bright red flowers with yellow stamens from May to September.  For a plant that's easy to grow in a container and has fragrant blue-violet flowers in July and August, consider the Munstead English Lavender. And if you're looking for a plant with beautiful grey foliage and long white flowering, the Silver Bush Morning Glory is an excellent option. This silver bindweed produces funnel-shaped flowers from April to May that repeat until summer.