Woodbridge Rose of Sharon

Other Names: Shrub Althea

Description:

A tall, stiffly upright shrub with extremely showy flowers throughout summer; large flowers are individually beautiful, deep pink with a red center; very adaptable plant that does best in full sun, makes a fantastic accent in a mixed garden composition

Ornamental Features:

Woodbridge Rose of Sharon features bold rose trumpet-shaped flowers with red throats along the branches from mid summer to early fall. It has green foliage throughout the season. The lobed leaves do not develop any appreciable fall colour. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The smooth gray bark is not particularly outstanding.

Landscape Attributes:

Woodbridge Rose of Sharon is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Disease

Woodbridge Rose of Sharon is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• General Garden Use
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• Accent
• Container Planting

Plant Characteristics:

Woodbridge Rose of Sharon will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.