Sugar Tip Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus)
Best low-maintenance shrub for gardeners seeking vertical color and pollinator appeal.
Discover the enchanting Sugar Tip® Rose of Sharon, a Proven Winners® shrub that brings confection-like beauty to any garden. Its unique variegated foliage, a blend of blue-green with creamy white tips, offers visual interest before the abundant, double pale pink blooms emerge. These charming flowers, featuring deep pink eyes, grace the plant throughout summer and into fall. This cultivar is a space-saving, columnar shrub that produces very few seeds, minimizing unwanted seedlings. It's a versatile choice for containers, borders, hedges, or screening, adding elegance and color.
$23.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2598
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-39%
Below average
Botanical Name
20579
/ Hibiscus syriacus 'America Irene Scott' USPP ,
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking year-round visual interest in their landscape
- Busy homeowners wanting a low-maintenance, non-invasive shrub
- Flower lovers desiring a long-lasting, colorful summer display
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners worried by slow spring growth cycles
- Organic growers concerned about potential pest management needs
- Novice gardeners intimidated by regular structural pruning tasks
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Variegated foliage provides stunning contrast even when the plant isn't blooming.
Maintenance Ease
Seedless nature eliminates the chore of weeding out unwanted volunteer seedlings.
Pollinator Appeal
Reliably draws hummingbirds and bees into the garden throughout the summer.
Spatial Versatility
Columnar habit fits perfectly into tight borders or decorative patio containers.
Environmental Resilience
Handles heat and drought with ease once established in the landscape.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deer-resistant, saving your garden from common browsing damage.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Hibiscus syriacus 'America Irene Scott' USPP 20,579
Mature Height
5-6 Feet
Mature Spread
4-6 Feet
Growing Zones
5-9
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Growth Rate
Moderate
Bloom Color
Pink
Foliage Color
Variegated Green
Features
- Striking variegated foliage for year-round interest.
- Abundant double pale pink flowers with dark pink eyes.
- Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators.
- Seedless cultivar for reduced maintenance.
- Space-saving columnar growth habit.
- Drought and heat tolerant.
- Deer resistant.
- Ideal for containers, borders, and screening.
What customers say
Customers highly value the Sugar Tip Rose of Sharon for its superior aesthetic and low maintenance. The creamy white variegated foliage offers consistent visual interest, even before the elegant, prolific soft pink flowers bloom. A key advantage is its sterile nature, eliminating messy seed pods common in other varieties, which significantly simplifies upkeep. Reviewers confirm the plant's robust health and reliable performance across zones, reinforcing its quality. While the initial cost is premium, most buyers agree the unique features, stunning appearance, and ease of care fully justify the investment, resulting in strong overall value perception.
Know before you buy
It is a relatively low-maintenance shrub. Because it is a seedless cultivar, you won't have to worry about unwanted seedlings popping up in your garden beds, and it is naturally drought and heat tolerant once established.
The Sugar Tip Rose of Sharon is hardy in growing zones 5 through 9. If you live in a colder climate within this range, it will lose its leaves in the winter and go dormant, returning with fresh growth in the spring.
Yes, its columnar growth habit makes it an excellent choice for large containers. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes and is large enough to accommodate its mature size of 5 to 6 feet.
For the best flower production, plant it in a location that receives full sun, though it will also tolerate partial shade. More sunlight generally results in more abundant blooms throughout the summer and fall.
Yes, this variety is considered deer resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof if food sources are scarce, deer typically avoid the foliage of this Hibiscus.
Yes, the striking blue-green leaves with creamy white tips provide visual interest from the time they emerge in spring until they drop in the fall. The foliage remains attractive even when the plant is not in bloom.
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