Hibiscus syriacus Magenta Chiffon - Rose of Sharon

'Hibiscus syriacus 'Magenta Chiffon', also known as Tree Mallow or Althaea, is characterised by crumpled flowers and good vigour. It blooms with large semi-double corollas; purple-pink, as long as summer lasts. The flowers open widely on an equally colourful heart, discreetly highlighted by small red spots. They are short-lived, but continually renew themselves on the plant, sometimes until September. This moderately sized variety forms a vigorous upright shrub in a few years, covered with beautiful deep green lobed foliage. In a flowering hedge, a bank or a large container near the house, it is very easy to grow in the sun, in well-drained ordinary soil, and even soil that is slightly chalky and occasionally dry. It is not afraid of cold or heat.

Hibiscus syriacus, sometimes called Rose Mallow, is a very hardy shrub, deciduous in colder climates but evergreen in warm climates, belonging to the Malvaceae family, along with hollyhocks and marsh mallows. It is native to temperate regions of Asia (China, India), and has given rise to many cultivars including 'Purple Ruffles' which stands out for a healthy and vigorous growth, and abundant flowering with double flowers.

The 'Magenta Chiffon' variety forms a shrub 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height and 1.5 m (4 ft11 in) in width, with an upright habit, supported by an upright but branched stem, with fairly rapid growth. It blooms from July to September, and its short-lived flowers that fade in 24 hours continually renew themselves until October. They are 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in) wide and composed of many bright purple-pink petals. Its foliage is very healthy, bright green and slightly shiny, and turns yellow in autumn. The leaves are alternate, simple, heart-shaped and lobed; their edges are serrated and undulate.

The 'Magenta Chiffon' Althaea appreciates bright, warm exposures, and is content with light shade in southern regions. This hibiscus requires no maintenance and grows slowly but steadily. Plant it sheltered from strong winds, in a soil that remains slightly moist until the end of summer. This highly ornamental variety can be used in a medium-sized hedge, in combination with other hibiscus of different colours, as well as in isolation or at the back of a perennial bed composed of dwarf conifers, asters or shrubby salvias, for example. Its modest size allows it to be grown in a large pot with a nutritious substrate, so you can fully enjoy its flowering on the terrace or balcony.