Hibiscus syriacus Purple Pillar - Rose of Sharon

The Hibiscus syriacus 'Purple Pillar' is a variety with a very upright and narrow habit, which can be grown in pots, hedges, or borders. Throughout the summer, it is adorned with beautiful semi-double flowers in a lovely mauve pink with a purple heart. Its unique columnar habit makes it an aesthetic and suitable plant for any garden, even small ones. Very hardy, tolerating most soils that are not too dry, this bush grows in the sun, but does not tolerate cold winter winds. Very easy to grow, it is an excellent choice, one of the best summer-flowering shrubs. 

The Hibiscus syriacus, sometimes called Rose of Sharon, is a hardy, deciduous shrub in our climate, but its foliage remains evergreen in winter in warm climates. It belongs to the Malvaceae family, along with lavateras, hollyhocks, and marshmallows. It is native to temperate regions of Asia (Korea, China, India) and has given rise to numerous cultivars that are hardier and more floriferous than ever!

'Purple Pillar' (synonym 'Gandini Santiago') is a particularly original variety due to its very narrow upright habit, which distinguishes it from classic Rose of Sharon. This bush can reach up to 4 metres (13 feet 1 inches) in height if not pruned, without exceeding 90 cm (35.4 in) in width. This allows it to be used as a hedge, and since it is recommended to prune it severely every year, it can also be grown in a pot to decorate a terrace. Its columnar habit, slightly conical, is particularly graphic. Its beautiful bright green foliage, composed of small leaves, provides a beautiful setting for its absolutely charming flowering. From July to September, it produces short-lived flowers that are quickly replaced with more, adorned with a purple heart on a mauve pink background. Semi-double, they have a slightly wrinkled and romantic appearance, evoking the lightness of crepe paper decorations. Distributed throughout the height of the bush, they justify its name "Purple Pillar". In autumn, when the flowering finally stops, the deciduous foliage becomes decorative, turning yellow before falling.

Despite its exotic appearance, it is very resistant to cold (down to -20°C) and very easy to grow. Preferring full sun, or partial shade in warm climates, it adapts to most soils, even limestone, except for those that are too wet or too dry.  

With its distinctly columnar habit, the 'Purple Pillar' Hibiscus is well suited for creating medium-sized hedges. It can be planted alongside Forsythias, whose bright yellow flowering replaces the often timid blooms early in the season. In spring, the flowering of Weigelas will provide a spectacle, and by opting for a variety of purple foliage like Weigela florida Alexandra, you can enjoy a pleasant contrast of foliage throughout the season. The little-known Buddleia alternifolia, with its delicately arching branches covered in lilac pink flowers spirally arranged, will then transition to the flowering of our Hibiscus. Finally, the classic but irreplaceable Callicarpa bodinieri Profusion will close the season with its autumn colours and many small decorative fruits throughout winter.