Identifying the Leaves of Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a popular flowering shrub known for its large showy blooms that appear in late summer. But you can identify this plant any time of year by looking closely at its leaves. In this article we’ll walk through the key features that make rose of sharon leaves easy to recognize.

Overview of Rose of Sharon

Before diving into leaf identification, let’s review some quick facts about rose of sharon:

• Part of the mallow (Malvaceae) family
• Native to China and Taiwan
• Grow 8-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide
• Deciduous shrub or small tree
• Flowers are large (2-4 inches), with 5 crepe-like petals in shades of red, purple, pink, white, or multicolored
• Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees
• Tolerates heat, drought, salt, and wet soil
• Deer resistant

Now that you know a bit about this plant, let’s look at how to ID it using the leaves alone

Rose of Sharon Leaf Characteristics

Here are the key features to look for when identifying rose of sharon leaves:

Simple, Alternate Leaves

• The leaves are simple, meaning each leaf is a single undivided blade. They do not have leaflets like compound leaves.
• The leaves alternate along the stems rather than growing opposite each other.

Coarsely Toothed Margins

• The leaf margins (outer edges) are coarsely toothed, with blunt, rounded teeth. The teeth are unevenly spaced.

Three-Lobed Shape

• While some leaves may appear more oval, most rose of sharon leaves are distinctly 3-lobed. There is one large, central lobe and two small side lobes at the leaf base.

Medium Green Color

• The leaves are a medium green color on the top and a slightly lighter green underneath. Some varieties may be dark green and glossy.

2-4 Inches Long

• Leaf size ranges from 2-4 inches long. Leaves are not hugely oversized.

Fall Color

• In fall, the leaves turn a golden yellow color before dropping. This can help confirm identity late in the season.

Other Identification Tips

Here are a few other characteristics that can aid in identifying rose of sharon leaves:

• Leaves emerge late spring after flowering.
• New leaves may be slightly red-tinged before turning green.
• Flower buds form on the current season’s growth alongside leaves.
• Crushed leaves have a faint odor.
• Leaf stems (petioles) are generally 1-3 inches long.
• Stipules are thin, threadlike structures that clasp the base of leaf stems early on before falling off.

Lookalike Leaves

There aren’t too many plants commonly confused with rose of sharon, but here are two to keep in mind:

• Hibiscus – Rose mallow hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) has leaves that look nearly identical to rose of sharon. But it has much larger, white or pink “dinner plate” flowers.

• Cottonwood – Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) leaves can look similar but have more rounded teeth and distinctively pointed tips. Cottonwood leaves are also alternate but on a much larger tree.

Examples of Rose of Sharon Leaves

To help visualize the key identification features, here are some examples of rose of sharon leaves:

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Simple, alternate, 3-lobed leaves with coarse teeth.

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Medium green color and 2-4 inch size.

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Fall leaf color transition.

How to Use Leaves for Plant ID

Identifying plants by leaf features may take some practice, but rose of sharon has very distinct leaves once you know what to look for. Here are some tips for honing your leaf identification skills:

• Study known leaf examples up close to note key characteristics.

• Photograph unknown leaves from multiple angles and compare pictures to reference images.

• Consider the plant’s size and growth habit as secondary clues.

• Remember that leaf size, shape, color, and texture can vary on the same plant. Look for the consistent features.

• Pay attention to leaf arrangements and stem attachments which can differentiate plant families.

With practice, you’ll be able to spot a rose of sharon from its leaves alone. Happy identifying!

Rose of Sharon is a type of hibiscus, specifically Hibiscus syriacus, meaning they are related but have some differences. Rose of Sharon is a cold-hardy, deciduous shrub, while other hibiscus varieties, like tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), are not as cold-tolerant and are often grown as annuals or brought indoors for the winter.

If you don’t prune a Rose of Sharon, it may grow into a large, unruly shrub with less abundant blooms. While it’s a resilient plant that can tolerate neglect, pruning helps maintain its shape, encourage larger blossoms, and prevent it from becoming overgrown.

A good plant similar to Rose of Sharon, particularly for those seeking a native alternative, is the Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), also known as Rose Mallow.