For a tropical look, even in cold climates, add rose of Sharon to your yard. This hardy flowering shrub has showy flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall, when most other shrubs are finished for the season.
Rose of Sharon is easy to grow, even for beginning gardeners. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, rose of Sharon bushes are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including poor soil, heat, humidity, drought and air pollution.
Flowers bloom from midsummer into fall and come in colors including white, red, pink, lavender, blue and bicolors, with single or double forms. Plants have a graceful vase-shaped habit, with small attractive green leaves that are toothed, with no significant fall color.
Hey garden lovers! I’ve been growing Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) for years, and I gotta tell ya – watching these beautiful shrubs grow from tiny seedlings is super rewarding. Today, I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about identifying and caring for Rose of Sharon seedlings, complete with descriptions of what to look for at each growth stage
What Do Rose of Sharon Seedlings Look Like?
Let me break down the different stages you’ll see as your seedlings develop
Stage 1: Just Sprouted (1-2 weeks)
- Tiny green sprouts emerging from soil
- Two small seed leaves (cotyledons)
- Often still has seed coat attached
- Developing first taproot
Stage 2: First True Leaves (2-4 weeks)
- First pair of real leaves appear
- Leaves have slightly toothed edges
- Green, smooth stem
- About 1-2 inches tall
Stage 3: Young Seedling (1-2 months)
- Multiple sets of true leaves
- Heart-shaped leaf pattern emerging
- Stem starting to thicken
- Height around 3-6 inches
Stage 4: Juvenile Plant (2-4 months)
- Woody stem developing
- Full heart-shaped leaves
- Side branches forming
- Usually 6-12 inches tall
Growing Conditions for Success
To keep your seedlings happy and healthy here’s what they need
Light Requirements
- Full sun (6+ hours daily)
- Morning sun is best
- Protect from intense afternoon sun initially
Soil Needs
- Well-draining potting mix
- Rich in organic matter
- pH between 6.0-7.5
- Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged
Temperature
- Ideal range: 65-75°F
- Protect from frost
- Avoid extreme heat
Common Problems & Solutions
Listen up! Here are some issues I’ve run into and how to fix them:
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Leggy Seedlings
- Cause: Not enough light
- Fix: Move closer to light source or provide artificial lighting
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Yellow Leaves
- Cause: Usually overwatering
- Fix: Let soil dry slightly between waterings
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Slow Growth
- Cause: Poor nutrients
- Fix: Feed with balanced fertilizer monthly
Tips for Transplanting Success
When your seedlings are ready for their forever home (usually at 6-12 inches tall), here’s what ya need to do:
- Choose a sunny spot with good drainage
- Dig hole twice as wide as root ball
- Add compost to planting hole
- Water deeply after planting
- Mulch around base
My Personal Timeline Guide
Here’s what’s worked best for me:
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Soak seeds 24 hours |
| Week 1-2 | Seeds germinate |
| Week 3-4 | First true leaves appear |
| Week 8-12 | Ready for larger pots |
| Month 3-4 | Ready for garden planting |
Pro Tips from My Garden to Yours
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Keep seedling soil consistently moist
- Use bottom heat for better germination
- Pinch tips to encourage bushiness
- Harden off gradually before planting outside
Remember y’all, growing Rose of Sharon from seed takes patience, but it’s totes worth it! I’ve found these shrubs to be pretty forgiving, and once established, they’re tough as nails. Plus, you’ll get gorgeous blooms that’ll make your neighbors jealous!
Need more help? Drop a comment below – I love chatting about gardening and sharing what I’ve learned over the years. Happy growing!
Note: This guide is based on my personal experience growing Rose of Sharon in Zone 6b. Your results might vary depending on your climate and growing conditions.
#gardening #RoseOfSharon #seedlings #gardeningtips
TRY THESE PROVEN WINNERS® VARIETIES
Rose of Sharon comes in a range of flower colors and forms, try these in your garden:
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The Chiffon® series is characterized by semi-double powderpuff-like flowers and a soft, graceful habit. Take your pick from five colors: Dark Lavender Chiffon, White Chiffon, Magenta Chiffon, Blue Chiffon, and Pink Chiffon. |
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The Satin® series offers striking flowers that produce few to no seeds. Color choices include Purple Satin, Azurri Blue Satin, Orchid Satin, and Ruffled Satin. |
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Sugar Tip® offers variegated foliage with creamy margins and blue-green coloring that offsets the double pastel pink blossoms. Use as a stand-alone accent in a container, in a mixed border or foundation planting. |
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Lil’ Kim® is a dwarf form about half the size of most other varieties. Long-lasting flowers 3” across have ruffly snow-white petals that beautifully contrast with the dark red throat. Suitable for small spaces in containers or as a stand-alone accent in the landscape. |
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Pollypetite® stays more compact, making it a perfect choice for smaller urban yards. Prolific lavender-pink blooms occur all summer long, standing out against the dark blue-green foliage. Use in containers, in a mixed border or as a stand-alone accent. |
Purple Pillar® is a truly unique form, growing into a tall, narrow column that is especially suited for small spaces. Grow against a wall as a formal clipped element or use as a screen or hedge. Semi-double flowers are pale lavender with a deep red center. ROSE OF SHARON FAQ’S
Plants will bloom best in full sun, but can tolerate some light shade. Make sure plants receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
PETITTI Rose of Sharon Spotlight | Grow for Pollinators, Blooms & Drought Tolerance
FAQ
What does a Rose of Sharon flower look like?
The rose of Sharon is a popular flowering shrub known for its showy blooms that come in a variety of colors like white, pink, purple, and red. This hardy plant is easy to grow from seeds, but you need to know what rose of Sharon seedlings look like at different growth stages and how to care for them.
Does Rose of Sharon grow seeds?
Because of its large, dense habit and its ability to seed itself, rose of sharon makes an excellent living wall or privacy hedge. When left untended, rose of sharon will drop its seeds close to the parent plant. In spring, these seeds will easily germinate and grow into new plants. Does Rose of Sharon produce seeds?
Is Rose of Sharon a flowering plant?
Rose of Sharon, also known as hibiscus syriacus, is a beautiful flowering shrub that produces beautiful blooms in shades of pink, blue, and white during summer and fall. If you want to grow this stunning plant in your garden, the first step is collecting and preparing the seeds.
How do you grow a Rose of Sharon from seed?
Growing young rose of Sharon plants from seed can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. To produce healthy, vibrant plants, it’s important to follow proper watering and fertilization techniques. Remember to water the plant deeply and fertilize once a year using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Is a Rose of Sharon a good self-seeding plant?
The rose of Sharon or the Hibiscus syriacus is a beautiful yet tough self-seeding plant that can be both a blessing and a curse for the gardeners out there who live in the zones where they grow. The best way to manage their seed propagation is to understand how these rose of Sharon seeds become new plants.
Are Rose of Sharon seedlings the same as the parent plant?
Moreover, there is no guarantee that the seedling will be the same variety as the parent plant. This is due to the possibility that the parent is a hybrid. You may want to save a rose of Sharon seed or two for later planting. On the other hand, you may have to protect the seeds from getting eaten by hungry birds.