If you ask gardeners what they want most from a landscape plant, the answer is usually the same: Long-lasting color with low maintenance.
That’s exactly why Althea, also known as Rose of Sharon, remains one of the best flowering shrubs for Southern gardens.
Altheas bloom for months during the hottest part of summer, often flowering from early summer into fall when many other plants begin to struggle. They’re heat tolerant, drought tolerant once established, relatively pest resistant, and easy to grow in a wide range of landscape settings.
These hardy shrubs thrive in full sun but also tolerate partial shade surprisingly well. They attract pollinators, require minimal care, and can be grown as large shrubs, small ornamental trees, colorful hedges, or mixed border plants.
One of the biggest advantages of Althea is the sheer range of flower colors and forms available. Modern varieties include whites, pinks, lavenders, blues, reds, and purples, with both single hibiscus-style blooms and large double flowers that create a more dramatic effect.
Older heirloom varieties are still beautiful and dependable, but newer selections offer major improvements including:
– Longer bloom seasons
– Improved disease resistance
– Better branching habits
– More compact growth options
– Larger and more colorful flowers
Altheas are remarkably adaptable. In sunny locations they grow more upright and structured, while in brighter shade they often develop graceful arching branches with a softer, fountain-like appearance. For gardeners looking for reliable summer color with very little maintenance, it’s hard to find a shrub that delivers more color, for this long, through the toughest months of the gardening season.