rose of Sharon

noun

1. Also called althea. a widely cultivated shrub or small tree, Hibiscus syriacus, of the mallow family, having showy white, reddish or purplish flowers.
2. Also called Aar·on's-beard [air, -, uh, nz-beerd, ar, -]. a St.-John's-wort, Hypericum calycinum, having evergreen foliage and showy yellow flowers.
3. a plant mentioned in the Bible.

rose of Sharon

noun

1. Also calledAaron's beard a creeping shrub, Hypericum calycinum , native to SE Europe but widely cultivated, having large yellow flowers: family Hypericaceae
2. Also calledalthaea a Syrian malvaceous shrub, Hibiscus syriacus (or Althaea frutex ), cultivated for its red or purplish flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of rose of Sharon¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

If we swirled around the oak tree the way Dismay had swirled earlier, we’d be bashed into the rose of Sharon bushes that sprayed the bottom of Listening Rock.

From Literature

Think about shrubs, such as rose of Sharon and fall-blooming hydrangea.

From Seattle Times

Monrovia has a re-flowering weigela named Crimson Kisses, and a line of rose of Sharon — the Chateau series — that repeats.

From Washington Post

Lamott has huge green eyes, short blonde dreadlocks and on her left ankle, a tattoo of a rose of Sharon with the words, “Trust the Captain, trust the Crew,” written on its stem.

From New York Times

More likely, I connect rose of Sharon with the South because of its family connections.

From Washington Times