What is an Althea tree?

Publish date: 2023-01-06
Althea trees (Hibiscus syriacus), also called Rose of Sharon, bring a boost of energy and color to flagging midsummer gardens with their butterfly-attracting, white, lavender, dusty-pink or blue trumpet blooms.

Also to know is, how big do Althea trees get?

Tips for Caring for Althea Bush The rose of Sharon bush can grow to be 8 to 12 feet tall and can have a spread of 4 to 10 feet.

One may also ask, do Rose of Sharon need sun or shade? Hardy to USDA zones 5 to 8, rose of Sharon is an easy-to-grow, undemanding plant, happy in full sun to part shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but is tolerant of many growing conditions, including periods of drought and exposure to pollution, which makes it excellent for urban gardens.

Beside this, is Althea a hibiscus?

Rose of Sharon, also known as Hibiscus syriacus or Shrub Althea, is a great shrub for late summer bloom. This is a potentially large (up to 8 or 12 foot) shrub with lovely blooms in mid to late summer. All Hibiscus require full sun, good drainage, regular, deep watering and frequent feeding.

How fast does Althea grow?

Rose of Sharon has a medium growth rate, meaning that it grows approximately 13 to 24 inches a year. A mature Rose of Sharon bush can grow between 8 to 12 feet tall with a 4 to 10 foot spread. The shrubs have a compact, upright growth pattern when young, but tend to spread out as they age.

How do I prune Althea tree?

Pruning althea However, try to avoid pruning late in the season, since this would tend to reduce blooming. Remove all branches that grow inwards so that the shrub can filter light through the inside. After that, cut remaining stems back by about ?, just above an outward-facing bud.

Is a Rose of Sharon a tree or bush?

Rose of Sharon "trees" (Hibiscus syriacus) are actually classified by botanists as shrubs, but they can be trained by pruning so as to form one main trunk (thereby becoming tree-like).

How do you transplant Althea?

Althea will tolerate a summer move but does best if transplanted during winter dormancy. This allows the plant time to develop new roots during the fall, winter and spring. Dig up the new area and spade in compost to a depth of about 15 inches.

Does Rose of Sharon smell?

Rose of Sharon (also known as shrub althea or Hibiscus syriacus) is an easy to grow perennial that can dress up your yard with bright colorful blooms and sweet fragrance. The blooms can be single or double.

How do you care for Althea bushes?

Shrub Althea is best planted into rich well-draining, slightly acidic soil in a full sun to part shade location. The rose of Sharon bush prefers moist, well-draining soil, although it will tolerate most soil conditions except those that are soggy or extremely dry.

Are Rose of Sharon invasive?

A: Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) — also known as Althea — is a beautiful shrub but it can also be quite invasive. Unlike bamboo, the Rose of Sharon spreads via its ample and easily germinated seeds. Prevention: This takes effort but if you deadhead the spent flowers before they go to seed, you don't get seedlings.

How long does it take Rose of Sharon to bloom?

1 to 2 years

Can Rose of Sharon be divided?

Never divide or split a hibiscus when it is flowering. Because rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) plants develop new growth and bloom off the previous year's woody stems, divide these plants in fall once they finish blooming and begin to enter dormancy.

What color is the Rose of Sharon?

Rose of Sharon flowers in late summer to fall when few other shrubs are in bloom. Flower colors include blue, pink, red, lavender, purple, and white, depending on the variety.

Why is it called Rose of Sharon?

Biblical origins The name "rose of Sharon" first appears in Hebrew in the Tanakh. In the Shir Hashirim ('Song of Songs' or 'Song of Solomon') 2:1, the speaker (the beloved) says "I am the rose of Sharon, a rose of the valley".

Are hibiscus and rose of Sharon the same?

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) and Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) are cousins. While the flowers of rose of Sharon and Chinese hibiscus look similar, these plants are from different climates; one is temperate and the other tropical, so they thrive in different places.

Is Rose of Sharon toxic to humans?

Toxicity. The rose of Sharon can pose a serious health threat to your furry friend. Other Hibiscus species can also be potentially toxic. Interestingly, the plant is not toxic to humans, according to the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

What is the lowest temperature hibiscus can tolerate?

The rose mallow-Texas star cross, hardy hibiscus, tolerates temperatures to 30 degrees below zero F. Hardy hibiscus depend on dormancy to protect them -- soil protects tender roots and crowns from freezing winds.

What does the rose of Sharon look like?

The leaves emerge late in the spring. Leaves are medium to dark green in summer with no or poor yellow fall color. The bark is light brown and thin, and the wood itself is weak. The trumpet shaped flowers are 2-4" across in colors of white, pink, red, violet or purple.

What is another name for Rose of Sharon?

Rose of Sharon, also called shrub althaea, (Hibiscus syriacus, or Althaea syriaca), shrub or small tree, in the hibiscus, or mallow, family (Malvaceae), native to eastern Asia but widely planted as an ornamental for its showy flowers.

How do you take care of a hibiscus tree?

While overwintering your hibiscus indoors provide as much bright light as possible, along with warm temperatures. Keep the root ball soil moist, but DO NOT allow the plant to stand in water. In late winter, prune back all the leggy growth and start fertilizing with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks.

What kind of fertilizer does Rose of Sharon like?

Rose of Sharon benefits from two different fertilizer formulations. For its spring feeding, use a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 10-20-10. In midsummer give it a boost with a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 0-10-10.

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