Here at Spruce Shake, we planted a Blue Chiffon near our back patio a few years ago. Each flower spans an impressive hand’s width, showcasing ethereal light blue petals that cradle a dramatic burgundy-purple star at their heart. Though individual blossoms bid farewell each evening, the shrub’s generous display continues uninterrupted from the height of mid-summer straight through autumn’s arrival.
This celebrated cultivar of Hibiscus syriacus has earned its accolades by combining refined beauty with reliable garden performance. If you are looking for a hardy, low-maintenance specimen that brings rare blue tones into your late-summer garden, the Blue Chiffon is unmatched.
Quick Highlights: Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon
- A stunning deciduous shrub known for its captivating, semi-double blue flowers with a lacy center.
- Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it excellent for beginners.
- Provides a continuous, long bloom time extending from late summer to early fall.
- Highly drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and heat-resistant (Hardiness Zones 5-9).
- Reaches an impressive mature height of 8-12 feet.
Plant Characteristics & Growth Rate
The Blue Chiffon® Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodthree’) is a remarkable plant known for its striking blue to lavender-blue flowers, which feature a frilly, chiffon-like texture.
This deciduous shrub is highly adaptable, thriving in hardiness zones 5-9. Its upright, vase-shaped habit and tree-like form make it a standout architectural feature in any landscape. (Note: Like all Rose of Sharon varieties, it is notoriously slow to leaf out in the spring, so don’t panic if it looks bare in May!).
Growth Rate
The Blue Chiffon is known for its medium growth rate. It typically grows about 1 to 2 feet per year. Under ideal conditions, it can reach a mature height of 8 to 12 feet and a spread of 4 to 6 feet.
Designing with Blue Chiffon in Your Landscape
Because of its impressive height and rare bloom color, the Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon can be utilized in several beautiful landscaping scenarios:
- Specimen Planting: Its striking flowers make it an ideal focal point in the center of a lawn or near an entryway.
- Hedges and Screens: The shrub’s height and dense summer foliage allow it to function effectively as a vibrant summer privacy screen along property lines.
- Mixed Borders: It complements late-summer perennials beautifully. Plant it as a backdrop behind black-eyed Susans or coneflowers to add height and texture to garden beds.
Essential Planting Tips
Planting your Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon correctly is very important for its long-term strength and upright growth habit.
Choosing the Right Location
You should pick a spot that receives at least six hours of full sun each day. While the shrub can handle partial shade, abundant sunlight is required for maximum blooming and dense foliage.
Think about how big the shrub will be when mature (8 to 12 feet tall and up to 6 feet wide). Make sure you give it enough space to grow without rubbing against buildings, fences, or other large trees. Interestingly, the Blue Chiffon handles urban pollution exceptionally well, making it a fantastic choice for city gardens or areas near busy streets.
Soil Preparation
This shrub strongly prefers well-drained soil with medium moisture. It is adaptable to poor soils, but it will not tolerate sitting in heavy, soggy clay that doesn’t drain.
- Test the soil pH: Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.0).
- Dig a wide hole: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, but only exactly as deep.
- Amend heavy soil: If you have heavy clay, amend the backfill soil heavily with compost to improve drainage before planting.
Caring for Your Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon
Once established, the Blue Chiffon is incredibly low maintenance. Still, knowing how to water and prune it properly will ensure it lives longer and blooms heavier.
Watering Techniques
Proper watering is critical during the first year after planting to help create a strong, deep root system. Overwatering, however, can cause root rot.
In the first season, water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Morning is the best time to water, allowing extra moisture on the leaves to evaporate, reducing the chance of fungal diseases. As your Blue Chiffon matures, it becomes highly drought-tolerant and will only require supplemental watering during extreme summer heatwaves.
Fertilizing and Pruning Practices
The best time to prune your Rose of Sharon is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, because it blooms entirely on new wood.
Take off any dead or damaged branches. Remove any interior branches that cross each other to keep the shrub neat and improve airflow. You can safely cut the entire shrub back by up to a third to encourage a bushier habit and larger flowers.
Feed your shrubs in early spring for massive summer blooms:
Buying Plants vs. Seeds
While you can find Rose of Sharon seeds online, it’s important to note that growing them from seed is extremely challenging. The seeds are slow to germinate and it will take years before the plant is mature enough to produce those signature blue flowers.
For the best results, it is highly recommended to purchase a young, established 1-gallon or 3-gallon plant from a reputable nursery or online garden center. This ensures you have a healthy, genetically true ‘Blue Chiffon’ that will bloom in its very first year in your garden.
Get a healthy, ready-to-plant Blue Chiffon delivered to your door:
Need Help Designing a Blooming Privacy Hedge?
The Rose of Sharon makes an incredible summer privacy screen. If you are looking to plant a long row of these beautiful shrubs, digging the holes and amending the soil can be back-breaking work. Local landscaping professionals can help you design and plant the perfect blooming border.
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Final Thoughts
Growing the Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon is incredibly rewarding. By picking a sunny spot, ensuring your soil drains well, and giving it a hard prune in the late winter, you will be rewarded with a massive, continuous display of elegant blue flowers when the rest of your summer garden is fading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Chiffon Hibiscus a suitable choice for small gardens?
Yes, its vase-shaped habit makes the Blue Chiffon an excellent choice for smaller gardens. While it can grow up to 12 feet tall, it maintains a relatively narrow footprint (4 to 6 feet wide) and can easily be pruned each spring to maintain a much smaller size.
Can the Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon thrive in partial shade?
While the Blue Chiffon prefers full sun, it can grow in partial shade. However, be aware that planting it in a shady spot will result in significantly fewer flowers, a slower growth rate, and sparser, “leggier” foliage.
What are the common pests or diseases to look out for?
The Blue Chiffon is generally highly resistant to pests and diseases (and deer usually leave it alone). However, you should check the stems and undersides of leaves for aphids or Japanese beetles during the hot summer months. Treat early infestations with Neem oil or insecticidal soap.
What makes the Blue Chiffon Hibiscus special?
The Blue Chiffon is highly prized because true blue flowers are relatively rare in the shrub world. Additionally, its “semi-double” bloom means it has an extra layer of lacy, ruffled petals in the center of the flower, making it look much more elegant than standard single-bloom varieties.
