Rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ is a Rose of Sharon cultivar, bred by the United States National Arboretum in the 1970s. Compared to the parent plant, the cultivar is more compact and features clear pink flowers that don’t change their color like the parent’s flowers do.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Hibiscus syriacus ‘Aphrodite’ (Rose of Sharon) is a compact, vase-shaped, deciduous shrub with showy, gently ruffled, pink flowers, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), adorned with a dark red throat and conspicuous, protruding tubes of stamens. Blooming continuously from midsummer to fall, the flowers decorate the bush until late in the season, a valuable attribute in most gardens. The foliage of broadly ovate, palmately veined leaves appears in late spring, pale yellow-green at first, becoming medium green. A very useful, structural shrub for the back of the border or as a specimen plant.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ likes ample sunlight for at least six hours a day. However, direct sunlight should be avoided during high temperatures in summer afternoons. Otherwise, the leaves can easily become sunburned.
Temperature
Most Hibiscus plants are relatively resistant to cold, tolerating temperature as low as -18 ℃, and are also relatively resistant to drought. Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and its hybridization varieties thrive in warm environments and generally cannot adapt to temperatures below 0 ℃. Temperatures of no less than 10 ℃ are best in winter for most Hibiscus plants. The optimum temperature for Chinese hibiscus is 16 to 32 ℃, and the species is not resistant to drought.
Watering
Originating from a region with distinct wet and dry seasons, rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ has adapted to cope with periods of drought, making it relatively drought-tolerant. After establishing its root system, rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ thrives on moderate moisture and benefits from watering twice a week to maintain its vibrant blooms. As an outdoor plant often found in temperate gardens, rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ flourishes when the soil is kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. Its deciduous nature means that during the growing season, consistent watering supports leaf development and flower production, while less is required as it approaches dormancy.
Soil
Rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ like slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil with a pH value of 5.5-7. If the soil is sticky and heavy, coarse sands may be added to improve permeability. In the case of slightly alkaline, chalky soil and lime soil, add rotten leaf soil, peat soil, or completely decomposed garden compost along with sulfur fertilizer until the pH value reaches an appropriate range.
Fertilizing
For optimal growth, rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ thrives with periodic fertilization. Use balanced nutrition fertilizers in spring and high-nitrogen options early in the growing season to enhance foliage development. Fertilize monthly, spring through summer, tapering to bimonthly in fall. Apply per product instructions, avoiding over-fertilization to prevent root burn. Winter feeding is unnecessary. Consistent fertilization improves rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite”s bloom intensity and plant vigor, ensuring a robust display of flowers. Wear gloves, keep fertilizer from direct contact with foliage, and water thoroughly after application to distribute nutrients.
Planting Instructions
The best planting season for rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ is during fall while it is still warm. This allows the root to recover in warm soil, encouraging vigorous growth the following year. A location that receives sufficient sunlight and is slightly shaded in the afternoon is best for planting rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’, depending on the local sunshine projection. All weeds should first be removed before planting, and then a planting pit can be dug. The pit should be at least twice the diameter of the root ball and attached soil, and slightly deeper than the root ball’s height.
For potting, try to choose a dwarf variety and the largest flowerpot possible. The flowerpot should be of sufficient weight and stability, with stone pots preferred. Pot depth should be at least 1.5 times the depth of the root ball. The diameter should be 1/6-1/4 of the height of the adult plant. Place 3 cm of rough stones at the flowerpot bottom for better drainage.
Sort and scatter the root ball, place it in the flowerpot or planting pit, and then gradually backfill and compact the soil. Cut off any diseased, damaged, inward-growing, or crossed branches and other branches that affect the plant’s shape. Water thoroughly and spread a 5 to 7 cm layer of decomposed medium or crushed bark. If the plant is a standard seedling type with a single trunk, insert a stake before planting to support the plant.
Pruning
Rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ generally does not require pruning. If desired, however, it should be pruned in early spring. Keep 2-4 buds on each branch grown the previous year and cut off any dead, diseased, or weak branches. For shrub shaping, trunks should be pruned to different heights, creating a sense of levels. For tree shaping, the lateral branches at the lower trunk should be removed and the upper lateral branches should be shortened.
To restore old branches, prune after blooming in fall. Each trunk should be shortened to a height of 30 to 46 cm. Afterward, apply a slow-release fertilizer. In the next growing season, keep 2-4 stronger, new branches on the trunk.
Propagation
Rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ can be effectively propagated using semi-hardwood cuttings. Ensure to select healthy stems and cut them at a length of 4-6 inches, dipping the cut end in rooting hormone to facilitate root development. Insert the treated cuttings into a well-draining potting mixture, maintaining humidity and warmth to encourage rooting. Careful monitoring for water and indirect sunlight during this period is crucial for the successful establishment of rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’.
Transplanting
The optimal time to transplant rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ is when the season warms, typically from late spring as the frost recedes, through to early summer. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil to promote healthy growth. Ensure gentle handling during the process to protect the root system.
III. Uses and Benefits
Rose of sharon ‘Aphrodite’ should be planted in shrub borders for dramatic summer blooms. It is great flowering shrub for foundation plantings, hedges or screens.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
The single flower of rose of sharon only blooms for a day and then withers. It is best to pick flowers that have just blossomed at sunrise. The fruit harvest time of Roselle is usually in late fall, one month after blooming. At that point, its sepals are fully developed, turning dark purple before the lower leaves start falling. The fruits can be cut off from the stem base with sharp scissors after the morning dew is dry.
