Rose of Sharon, Shrub Althea       hi-BIS-kus si-ri-A-kus

• Deciduous shrub/tree, 8-12 ft (2.4-4.5 m), upright vase.  Leaves alternate, simple, 5-10 cm long 3-lobed and coarsely toothed, rounded teeth, three prominent veins; petiole 5-15 mm long.  Many cultivars with flower color ranging from white to red to purple (5-10 cm across); flowers solitary, short stalked.  Fruit, a 5-valved brown capsule, persists through winter.
• Full sun to part shade, grows in most soils, except those extremely wet or dry.  Acid/alkaline adaptable.  Prefers hot weather and does best in well-drained soils supplemented with organic material (e.g., peat moss).  Valuable for late season flowers.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 5     Native to China, India.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: on either side of the entrance to Milam Auditorium