Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Bird'
flowerBlue 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.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 7 days
Bloom
~95 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
6-10 ft apart
Planting Depth
Set the root ball level with the soil surface
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Average to rich, medium-moisture, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 9
When to Fertilize
Once in early spring as growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost
Rose of Sharon is one of the easiest flowering shrubs - grow it in full sun for the heaviest bloom (it tolerates part shade but flowers less) in average to rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It adapts to a wide range of soils and tolerates heat, humidity, urban conditions, some drought, and even occasional wet soil, and is hardy in zones 5 to 9. It blooms on the current season new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring before growth begins: leaving it alone gives a tall multi-stemmed shrub, while cutting back hard each spring yields fewer but larger flowers and a tidier shape. The species self-sows aggressively from seed, but Blue Bird sets few seedlings; deadheading or cutting back also limits any volunteers. Water regularly the first year to establish.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first bloom
Jul 19
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
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
Cluster on tender new shoots and buds - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs
Tiny white flies on leaf undersides - rinse foliage, encourage beneficial insects, and avoid excess nitrogen
Fungal leaf spots spread in humid, wet conditions and poor airflow - water at the base, space for circulation, and clear fallen debris
Buds drop after uneven watering or heat stress - water evenly and mulch to keep soil moisture steady
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.
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.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.