This beloved shrub has beautiful flowers that entice wildlife in droves, together with butterflies and hummingbirds.
On a current journey to Michigan to go to household, I used to be captivated by the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) bush of their entrance yard. It was a magnet for all the things with wings! One afternoon, I dragged a garden chair into the shade by the bush to observe for about an hour to see what guests I may spot, together with:
Japanese Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), feminine
Honeybees (Apis mellifera)
And many extra I didn’t seize photographs of, together with different types of bees, wasps, and flies. I additionally noticed different butterflies utilizing the flowers for nectar, together with a Big Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), Nice Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), and Cabbage White (Pieris rapae). Dragonflies have been utilizing the branches to perch, and small songbirds flitted out and in of the shelter of the branches. It was merely wonderful how this one small bush was offering meals and shelter for thus many various species all of sudden.
Rose of Sharon is native to Asia, and normally grown within the U.S. in zones 5 – 8. It blooms summer time by means of fall, and is simple to develop in most soils and situations. It may be pruned right into a hedge or tree type, or left to ramble wild. Discover a number of cultivars at your native backyard heart, or ask a pal or neighbor for a stem slicing from one of their yard to root. (Find out how right here.) One phrase of warning: this non-native shrub is taken into account invasive in some areas. For those who’re involved, examine along with your native extension workplace to seek out out if Rose of Sharon is true to your yard.
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