Althea Tree, Minerva 7 Gallon

Minerva Rose of Sharon - tree form
Hibiscus syriacus 'Minerva'

Height:  10 feet

Spread:  8 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade

Hardiness Zone:  4b

Other Names:  Shrub Althea

Description:

Extremely showy flowers throughout summer, this tree's flowers are individually beautiful, light purple with a dark red center; a very adaptable plant, but prefers full sun, this variety is slightly hardier than the species

Ornamental Features

Minerva Rose of Sharon features bold lavender trumpet-shaped flowers with dark red throats along the branches from mid summer to early fall. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The lobed leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Landscape Attributes

Minerva Rose of Sharon is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree  with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This itree is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats.

Minerva Rose of Sharon will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Minerva Rose of Sharon makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container.