Blueberry Smoothie™ Hibiscus

When everything else in the garden begins to fade, Blueberry Smoothie™ will pop with gorgeous blue-purple flowers reminiscent of blueberry ice cream. Second only to its color is the captivating shape of its huge double blooms. Hibiscus syriacus, also known as Rose of Sharon, is handy if you love the look of tropical flowers, but need something more reliable in a cold climate. Rose of Sharon is woody, and these hard stems won't die back in the winter, standing up to cold weather better. The other big reason gardeners love syriacus is when they want a hibiscus tree. It naturally grows into a vase shape, but the woody stems can be manipulated into a nice tree shape. It's gorgeous architectural interest for a more formal landscape. Blueberry Smoothie™'s crumpled paperlike hibiscus petals emerge in blossoms that look like a rose. The contrast of its remarkable flowers against vibrant green foliage is sure to brighten any area of the landscape. Add to the remarkable flowers the fact that this Hibiscus is sterile, eliminating the messy seed pods that invade your borders, and you have a summer-flowering shrub with enormous appeal. Create a stunning privacy hedge, or plant in a container to enjoy on your patio. A butterfly and hummingbird magnet, this bold standard is the ideal low-maintenance ornamental, as all the "limbing up" and training is already done for you. It adds a formal look to an entrance or as a patio container plant.