rose of Sharon

Shrub or small tree (Hibiscus syriacus, or Althaea syriaca) in the mallow family, native to eastern Asia but widely planted as an ornamental for its showy flowers. It can grow to 10 ft (3 m) and generally assumes a low-branching pyramid shape. The mallowlike flowers range from white and pinkish-lavender to purple, generally with a crimson base; some varieties have double flowers. The name also sometimes refers to the unrelated Aaron's-beard (Hypericum calycinum), a shrubby relative of St.-John's-wort.

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