Hibiscus syriacus China Chiffon - Rose of Sharon

The Hibiscus syriacus China Chiffon 'Bricutts' is a highly cultivated selection from the Chiffon range, known for its large double flowers, pure white with a striped red heart, crowned with a bouquet of shorter, crinkled petals with a unique charm. It is a vigorous deciduous bush with an upright and well-branched habit suited for container cultivation. It is very floriferous and bears bright flowers that continuously bloom from July to September. Not demanding, it also has good resistance to pests and diseases and requires only light pruning at the end of winter to maintain its compact and floriferous growth. It is a versatile bush that can be used in a hedge, border, standalone plant, or container. Position it in a sunny exposure with ordinary, even limestone soil.

The Hibiscus syriacus, also known as the Rose of Sharon, is a hardy deciduous shrub that can survive in our climate. However, in warm temperatures, its foliage remains intact throughout the winter. Belonging to the Malvaceae family, it is related to lavateras, hollyhocks, and marshmallows. The shrub is originally from temperate regions of Asia, including Korea, China, and India, and has produced many more resilient and flower-filled varieties over time!

China Chiffon 'Bricutts' is a hybrid mutation of 'Lavender Chiffon', created by André Briant. It is part of the Chiffon range, known for its double flowers with a silky chiffon-like appearance. This variety grows into a bush that is typically 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) tall and 2 m (6 ft 7 in) wide on average. It has an upright habit and a well-branched structure. 'Bricutts' usually bloom from the second half of July and flower until September if the weather is mild. The flowers last only 24 hours and are composed of pure white petals with a scarlet red striated heart. Double, they are 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in) wide. The petals are arranged around shorter, undulating petals that partially conceal the cream-coloured stamens and pistil. The leaves of this plant are alternate, simple, heart-shaped, and lobed. The edges of the leaves are toothed and wavy. The foliage of 'Bricutts' is very healthy and has a slightly satin, dark olive-green appearance. It turns yellow in autumn before falling.

The 'China Chiffon 'Bricutts' appreciates bright, warm exposures and can tolerate light shade in southern regions. This hibiscus requires little maintenance and grows steadily in the first years. A short pruning after flowering helps to keep the bush compact and floriferous. Plant it in a sheltered location, protected from strong winds, in soil that remains slightly moist until the end of summer. This attractive variety can be used in a medium-sized hedge, combined with other hibiscus with different colours, botanical roses, mock oranges, lilacs, and butterfly bushes that will provide the fragrance it lacks. It can also be planted as a standalone or at the back of a perennial bed composed of daylilies, asters, or shrubby salvias.