Last summer I photographed several Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus) flowers. Rose of Sharon are members of the Hibiscus genus and the Malvaceae family. Originally native to Asia, the Rose of Sharon are grown throughout much of the US. They are hardy from Zones 5B through 9A. In the summer, it produces large showy flowers on a shrub that grows to 8 to 10 feet tall. The US Forest Service has a wonderful PDF with information about growing Rose of Sharon plants.
One of the Rose of Sharon plants I photographed last summer was in the Cataloochee section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Adjacent to the Palmer House, this Rose of Sharon had flowers in multiple colors growing on the same plant.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I photographed a lovely purple Rose of Sharon at the North Carolina Arboreatum in Asheville. The flowers of the Marina Rose of Sharon were used in dye making.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
And finally a wonderful white and red Helene Rose of Sharon photographed at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland.
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Hello Patty–
I’m a retired Rev. forced into retirement so that I could battle cancer. I won — I’m cancer free, but I did not use traditional medicine. I want to write a book — Rethinking Cancer — No Chemo! No Radiation! No Surgery! What I am looking for is a picture of beautiful flowers. For spiritual reasons I like the Rose of Sharon and so I found your pictures.
I really like your picture of — I think it is 8 flowers. I’m thinking that it would like nice on the book’s cover. If it is not too expensive, I’m thinking to use flowers at the beginning of each chapter. I’m doing all this on my own and so you might say that I am financially challenged…
Thank you for the beautiful photos–
Rev. Phillip
PS: My wife is Japanese — we really like Cherry Blossoms! If you get good pics in DC, I love to see them. And I really like your white flower with the red center. I could use that one too.