Violet Satin® Rose of Sharon

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8 - 12 Feet

Mature Spread

6-10+ Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

The Violet Satin® Rose of Sharon features masses of large blooms with blousy, soft purple petals. The showy, tropical appearance is unexpected for such a highly drought- and cold-tolerant shrub. This shrub also tolerates dry conditions, and it blooms in heat and is very forgiving in salty and windy locations near the ocean. This deciduous member of the hibiscus family blooms for weeks in mid to late summer. Its deep green foliage adds the perfect backdrop for summer-blooming perennials. 

Hibiscus syriacus ‘Violet Satin’ is highly attractive to local beneficial pollinators and hummingbirds. On the other hand, deer are rarely known to browse on the foliage or flower buds when more desirable plants are available. Plant this shrub in the back of a pollinator garden bed or as a mid-layer for a traditional cottage garden. Violet Satin® is a sterile cultivar that does not set seed like other varieties. The shrub is self-cleaning and any spent flowers can be pruned back in late winter before the new season’s growth begins. 

Violet Satin® Rose of Sharon Care

Rose of Sharon requires full sun exposure for a minimum of 6 hours a day. Shade late in the day is preferred if you garden in a southern climate. Violet Satin grows well in average soil with a neutral pH. Fertilize with a slow-release formula for flowering shrubs early in the spring as the new foliage emerges. Water deeply and infrequently for the first season or two to establish a deep root system. Supplemental watering with drip irrigation or soaker hoses is preferred to overhead watering to keep the foliage dry. 

Prune Violet Satin® Rose of Sharon early in the spring to control its overall size and shape. The flowers bloom on new wood, and over time, the shrub may only flower at the very ends of the branches. To counteract this, cut back the shrub hard every 3-4 years or as needed. Pruning out one-third of the branches every year will maintain the height of the plant while encouraging fresh new growth at the base. Deadheading is not required.

Violet Satin® Rose of Sharon Spacing

Violet Satin will reach 12 feet high with a moderate spread of 8 feet. The large size makes it a great addition to any mixed informal hedge. Space plants 7 feet from each center when planting in groups. The wide spacing allows each root system to access sufficient nutrients and moisture. Good air circulation around each plant also lowers the risk of pests and diseases