Syrian Hibiscus
The national flower of South Korea, known as Mugunghwa (hibiscus)
The Rose of Sharon, or Syrian Hibiscus, is a charming shrub that has graced gardens for centuries. It originates from the warm regions of Asia but has long won the hearts of gardeners worldwide with its undemanding nature and generous flowering. In July, when most spring blooms have already faded, this hibiscus begins its true show, producing pink, white, lilac, and bicoloured flowers right up until the first frosts.
This is a true queen of the summer garden—the elegant flowers with their feathery stamens and incomparable grace await you each morning. Plant breeders have developed dozens of varieties, from simple single blooms to fully double forms, from solid colours to striking colour combinations. Some cultivars can truly be regarded as natural sculptures, so exquisite are their forms. In a sunny location, the shrub transforms into a cloud of flowers, and its natural grace makes it indispensable in landscape design.
In the garden, the Rose of Sharon finds its rightful place alongside butterfly bush, lavatera, or roses—these plants complement one another beautifully in colour and structure. It looks equally splendid in graceful compositions of Western European-style gardens and in traditional Ukrainian settings, where it has been cherished for generations. The shrub will cope with less than ideal conditions, content with moderate watering and a sunny spot.
Interestingly, in South Korea this hibiscus is regarded as the national flower and is called Mugunghwa. For the Ukrainian gardener, this is wonderful news—a plant that connects us with distant cultures, takes up little space, yet offers a wealth of joy and colour from summer until autumn.
Syrian Hibiscus — planting & location
Flowers from summer until frost
How to water Syrian Hibiscus
Avoid waterlogging
Fertilizing and pruning: Syrian Hibiscus
Cut back by one-third to stimulate flowering