Blue Bird Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Bird'

flower

Blue Bird, also sold as Oiseau Bleu, is one of the most loved rose of Sharon, valued for its rare, near-true-blue flowers. Rose of Sharon is the hardy, cold-tolerant cousin of the tropical hibiscus, an upright, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that grows eight to twelve feet tall, and from midsummer into fall, long after most shrubs have finished, it carries a steady succession of large, single, violet-blue flowers about three inches across, each centered with a deep red eye. Because it blooms so late and so long, it fills a real gap in the season, and it is tough, heat and humidity tolerant, deer resistant, and easy in almost any sunny spot.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Panicle Hydrangea — A fellow tough, late-summer-blooming shrub that flowers at the same time for a long-season border
• Russian Sage — Airy blue spires that echo the blue flowers and share the full sun and well-drained soil
• Black-Eyed Susan — Golden late-summer daisies that contrast the blue blooms and draw pollinators alongside it

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Japanese beetles →

  They skeletonize the leaves and chew flowers in summer - hand-pick into soapy water in the cool morning when they are sluggish, and avoid lure traps that draw in more

• Aphids →

  Cluster on tender new shoots and buds - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs

• Whiteflies →

  Tiny white flies on leaf undersides - rinse foliage, encourage beneficial insects, and avoid excess nitrogen

• Cercospora leaf spot →

  Fungal leaf spots spread in humid, wet conditions and poor airflow - water at the base, space for circulation, and clear fallen debris

• Blossom drop →

  Buds drop after uneven watering or heat stress - water evenly and mulch to keep soil moisture steady

🌸 Blooms & cutting

Rose of Sharon flowers last only a day or so once cut, so it is grown for the garden show rather than the vase, but its long bloom keeps the shrub colorful for months. The flowers and young leaves are actually edible - the mild petals can be used as an edible garnish or steeped for tea. The main task is the once-a-year pruning in late winter or early spring (it blooms on new wood), plus optional deadheading to keep it neat and to cut down on self-sown seedlings.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

An ornamental late-season shrub of strong pollinator value - the big open flowers are a magnet for bees (including specialized hibiscus bees), butterflies, and hummingbirds from midsummer to fall when forage is scarce. The flowers and young leaves are edible to people, and the plant is non-toxic and safe around pets and children.