Why Plant Minerva Rose of Sharon?
Incoming! Look out for the hummingbirds as they come zooming in on your Minerva Tree Form Rose of Sharon. The ruby-throated wonders love this little everblooming patio tree, and you will,too, when you see how magnificently it performs through the hottest, stickiest days of summer. Its pinkish lavender blossoms, each kissed with a maroon center, just keep coming, no matter how high the mercury rises. Use Minerva to enliven an outdoor sitting area or a view from inside your (air-conditioned) home. This perky tree also makes a cheerful, long-lasting pop of color among your foundation plantings, by the pool, or even in a large pot on the deck. Rose of Sharon has been enjoyed by gardeners for centuries, but one thing that has always been a bit troublesome about it is the way it reseeds. Horticulturists at the U.S. National Arboretum set out to change that in the early 1970s by breeding some new varieties. They treated the seedlings with colchicine, a natural substance that causes some plants to become triploids. Triploids have extra chromosomes, and they generally flower for extended periods, have larger flowers and fruit, and make little or no seed. Seedless watermelon, for example, is a triploid. The first Rose of Sharon triploid was named after the Roman goddess of the hunt, Diana, so the National Arboretum researchers continued that theme and named this new plant after the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva.
How to use Minerva Rose of Sharon in the landscape?
When you think of Hibiscus, you may think of the tropical Hibiscus plant. That one can only be grown as a houseplant in cold climates. The Minerva Hardy Hibiscus Tree, a.k.a. Rose of Sharon, a.k.a. Althea, on the other hand, is cold-hardy to -15°F. There is also a cold-hardy perennial Hibiscus that you can grow. It is native to the Southeast and dies back to the ground each year.
How To Plant Minerva Rose of Sharon
The Minerva Rose of Sharon is easy and satisfying to grow even for novice gardeners. Choose a site with all-day sun for your tree. Minerva will also grow in part shade, but will put out fewerblooms there. This tree likes light soils and needs good drainage, but it doesn’t want to dry out completely. Irrigate with the Bower & Branch Elements™ Watering System to supply just the right amount of water and get your tree off to a great start. Minerva will also respond favorably to an annual application of our Elements™ Fertilizer. This is one of the slowest trees to leaf out in the spring, so be patient! Pruning can be accomplished at any time of the year.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
