Hibiscus syriacus is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is native to areas of east Asia, but widely introduced elsewhere, including much of Europe and North America. It was given the epithet syriacus because it had been collected from gardens in Syria.^[3][4][5] Common names include the rose of Sharon,^[6] (especially in North America), Syrian ketmia,^[7] shrub althea ^[8] (or simply althea^[9][10]), and rose mallow (in the United Kingdom). It is the national flower of South Korea and is mentioned in the South Korean national anthem.^[11]

Quick Facts Hibiscus syriacus, Scientific classification ...

Hibiscus syriacus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Hibiscus
Species:	H. syriacus
Binomial name
Hibiscus syriacus L.
Synonyms[1][2]
List Althaea frutex Mill. Hibiscus acerifolius Salisb. Hibiscus rhombifolius Cav. Ketmia syriaca (L.) Scop. Ketmia syrorum Medik. nom. illeg.

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Hibiscus syriacus is a hardy deciduous shrub. It is upright and vase-shaped, reaching 2–4 m (7–13 feet) in height, bearing large trumpet-shaped flowers with prominent yellow-tipped white stamens.^[12] The flowers are often pink in color, but can also be dark pink (almost purple), light pink or white. Individual flowers are short-lived, lasting only a day. However, numerous buds produced on the shrub's new growth provide prolific flowering over a long summer blooming period. The soil in which the Hibiscus thrives on is moist but well-drained, and organically rich.^[13] Hibiscus syriacus is highly tolerant of air pollution, heat, humidity, poor soil and drought.^[13] The species has naturalized very well in many suburban areas and might even be termed slightly invasive, so frequently does it seed.^[2]

Though it has no fall color and can be stiff and ungainly if badly pruned, H. syriacus remains a popular ornamental shrub today, with many cultivars. Full-grown plants can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including frost, drought and urban pollution. However, the best results are produced in a warm, sheltered position; a well-drained neutral soil; and full sun.^[15]

Hibiscus syriacus, also known as the Korean rose, is the national flower of South Korea.^[30] The flower appears in national emblems, and Korea is compared poetically to the flower in the South Korean national anthem.^[31] The flower's name in Korean is mugunghwa (Korean: 무궁화; Hanja: 無窮花) or mokkeunhwa (목근화; 木槿花). The flower's symbolic significance stems from the Korean word mugung, which means "eternity" or "inexhaustible abundance". Various state emblems of South Korea contain Hibiscus syriacus; it is generally considered by South Koreans to be a traditional symbol of the Korean people and culture.^[32]

Hibiscus syriacus was originally endemic to Korea. It is recorded that it was brought to Japan in the 8th century and cultivated for horticulture. According to records, it was prolific on the Korean Peninsula before the 1st century.^[11] Its leaves were brewed into a herbal infusion and its flowers eaten in Korea. Later on it was introduced and grown in the gardens of Europe as early as the 16th century, though as late as 1629 John Parkinson thought it was tender and took great precautions with it, thinking it "would not suffer to be uncovered in the Winter time, or yet abroad in the Garden, but kept in a large pot or tubbe in the house or in a warme cellar, if you would have them to thrive." (sic)^[33] By the end of the 17th century, some knew it to be hardy: Gibson, describing Lord Arlington's London house noted six large earthen pots coddling the "tree hollyhock", as he called it, "that grows well enough in the ground".^[34] By the 18th century the shrub was common in English gardens and in the North American colonies, known as Althea frutex and "Syrian ketmia".^[35]