Lucy Rose of Sharon (Single Trunk Tree)

Hibiscus syriacus ‘Lucy’ – Syn. Althea

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 8-10′

Width at Maturity: 6-8′

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Vase/Fountain Shape

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Fuchsia-Purple with Red hues

Flower Size: Large, 4-5″

Flowering Period: Summer into Fall

Flower Type: Double

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Rich Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low

Soil Type: Clay, Loam

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist, Moderately Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Insect

Description

This is the single-trunk tree form of Lucy Rose of Sharon. Lucy is the best and strongest growing “red” flowering Rose of Sharon we’ve grown. We put quotes around the “red” because the flowers are actually more a purplish-fuchsia with red hues than they are a true red. Lucy has performed extremely well in our gardens here in Zone 8a of mid-Georgia and the LOADS of flowers she produces are a magnet to butterflies and hummingbirds. An attractive small tree perfect near decks, patios and other outdoor sitting areas where you can relax and watch the hummingbirds swarm during summer.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, Lucy Rose of Sharon can be grown as a shrub or small tree. As a tree Lucy is ideal for use as a specimen or small groupings in the landscape. As she grows taller, the lower branches can be removed to for a small, very attractive and colorful small tree that makes a fine specimen in landscape borders and as an accent in home foundation plantings. Pruning is best done before new leaves emerge in late winter or early spring.

Suggested Spacing: 10 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Rose of Sharon are very easy to grow. They adapt to most any average well-drained moist soil and like as much sun as you can provide. Some light shade is tolerated but too much shade and plants become floppy and flowering is diminished. They are not too particular about soil type and quite drought tolerant once established. They require little if any pruning, though a stray or broken branch can be removed any time of year.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Rose of Sharon…

How To Plant and Care For Rose of Sharon Hibiscus

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us

I have had red althea (rose of sharon) trees for many years. We recently moved and I was not going to be w/o this beautiful tree! It took a little while for it to develop shoots (3-4 weeks), but once it did, it took off & developed beautifully! We planted it after the blooming season was over, so I had no blooms this year, but I have no doubt it will have its beautiful flowers next summer. It is very healthy & I am so glad I purchased it from Wilson Bros.!
To anyone who buys these trees – give it at least 30 days to develop its shoots. It looks like a stick tree when it arrives, but keep in mind that it needs time to recover from its dormant state & shipping conditions.
I will be buying another next year!
And, yes!, this is a real human review! Not a bot or fake review!———————————————-Thanks for the kind human words and wonderful real review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This tree was delayed by FedEx due to bad weather. When it arrived all the leaves had dropped off the tree and I was worried the tree had been in transit to long and hadn’t survived. I talked with Wilson Bros customer service and they advised I go ahead and plant the tree since the scratch test they had me do indicated the tree was still alive and healthy. I did as customer service instructed me and in a matter of a few days new leaves were appearing on the tree daily. Tree is very healthy and can’t wait to see the blooms next spring. As always I’m extremely happy with the purchases I’ve made at Wilson Bros. I never purchase any trees or plants anyplace else now.————————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived with flowers blooming. Planted in 90° heat in the middle of July, gave it lots of water and it’s doing great. I would definitely recommend!——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG