Fauna
Plant

Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus

Also known as Syrian Ketmia, Shrub Althea, Korean Rose, Rose Mallow

Rose of Sharon is a hardy deciduous shrub renowned for its showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom continuously from midsummer into autumn. Each blossom features five delicate petals surrounding a prominent central column of fused stamens and pistils, attracting bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Native to eastern Asia, this resilient shrub tolerates poor soils, heat, and urban pollution, making it a widespread fixture in gardens worldwide.

FloweringOrnamentalDeciduous
Rose of Sharon reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Japanese Beetle
  • Aphids
  • Whiteflies
ThreatsJapanese beetle infestations, aphid damage, and extreme freeze damage in northern limits
HabitatsThickets, stream banks, roadsides, urban gardens, and disturbed woods
Life span20–30 years
Classification
  1. OrderMalvales
  2. FamilyMalvaceae
  3. GenusHibiscus
  4. SpeciesHibiscus syriacus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Flowers and foliage are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep curious pets away.
Why it is dangerous
Contains gastrointestinal irritants that induce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in domestic pets if consumed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for erect vase-shaped woody shrubs with three-lobed leaves and large trumpet flowers featuring prominent central staminal columns.
What to do
Keep dogs and cats from chewing on fallen petals or leaves, and dispose of pruned branches safely.
Responsible observation
  • Pruning: Cut back stems in late winter or early spring to encourage larger summer blooms.
  • Pollinator Viewing: Position nearby in summer mornings when nectar-seeking bees and hummingbirds visit fresh flowers.
  • Self-Seeding Control: Deadhead spent blossoms before seed pods mature to prevent unwanted volunteers.
Related species
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