The Rose of Sharon, scientifically known as Hibiscus syriacus, is a reliable deciduous shrub prized for its substantial bloom period extending from midsummer into the fall. As a late-season flowering plant, it offers much-needed color when many other shrubs have finished their display. The ‘Paraplu Pink Ink’ cultivar has gained attention for its unique floral presentation and manageable size.
Distinctive Characteristics and Origin
The ‘Paraplu Pink Ink’ stands apart from other Rose of Sharon varieties due to its striking, bi-color blooms. Its large, saucer-shaped flowers feature creamy white petals that provide a clean backdrop for a dramatic, deeply colored magenta “ink” blotch at the center. This star-like eye gives the flower a tropical appearance.
The plant typically exhibits an upright, moderately fast growth habit, reaching a mature height of approximately 5 to 8 feet with a spread of 4 to 5 feet. This size makes it suitable for use as a specimen plant or a flowering hedge. The cultivar is hardy across USDA Zones 5 through 9, tolerating both winter cold and summer heat. The name “Paraplu,” French for umbrella, alludes to the rounded canopy shape it is frequently trained to display as a small standard tree.
Planting and Essential Care Requirements
Optimal growth for the ‘Paraplu Pink Ink’ requires a location that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day to maximize flower production. The shrub adapts to various soil types, including clay and loam, but prefers a fertile, well-draining medium with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Proper drainage is essential, as waterlogged conditions can quickly lead to root issues.
Consistent watering is necessary during the establishment phase to help the root system develop, though mature plants demonstrate good drought tolerance. A deep, weekly watering equivalent to about one inch of rainfall is beneficial during dry periods to prevent stress and premature flower bud drop. Fertilization should occur in early spring using a slow-release granular product formulated for flowering shrubs, favoring potassium to promote blooming. Maintaining adequate air circulation around the shrub is important to prevent common fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
Maintaining the Signature Umbrella Shape
The distinct, elevated umbrella or standard shape of the ‘Paraplu Pink Ink’ is not its natural form but the result of specialized training and pruning. This technique involves selecting a single, strong central leader to act as the trunk and systematically removing all side branches below the desired canopy height. Annual maintenance is performed during the dormant season, typically in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins.
Pruning should focus on creating a dense, rounded canopy at the top of the clear trunk. To achieve this, lateral branches forming the canopy should be cut back by about one-third of their length just above an outward-facing bud or node. This encourages new side branching, leading to a fuller head and ultimately more blooms, since the Rose of Sharon flowers on new wood. Continually removing any suckers that emerge from the base of the trunk or the root zone is necessary to preserve the clear, single-stem structure.