Hibiscus syriacus 'William R. Smith'

RHS Plant Profile
rose of Sharon 'William R. Smith'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Hibiscus syriacus 'William R. Smith'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
rose of Sharon 'William R. Smith' RHS
rose of Sharon 'William R. Smith' RHS 1998

RHS Recommended

Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A robust deciduous shrub with dark green, three-lobed leaves and single white flowers to 10cm across in late summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Hibiscus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees, annuals or perennials, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and large, funnel-shaped flowers over a long flowering season
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and Powdery mildews