rose of Sharon

American  

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 Aaron's-beard.  a St.-John's-wort, Hypericum calycinum, having evergreen foliage and showy yellow flowers.

3. a plant mentioned in the Bible.

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rose of Sharon British  

noun

1. Also called: Aaron's beard.  a creeping shrub, Hypericum calycinum , native to SE Europe but widely cultivated, having large yellow flowers: family Hypericaceae

2. Also called: althaea.  a Syrian malvaceous shrub, Hibiscus syriacus (or Althaea frutex ), cultivated for its red or purplish flowers

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Etymology

Origin of rose of Sharon

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2021

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 • Oct. 27, 2018

As Peach gagged, Dismay banged into the rose of Sharon bushes and yelped, then bounced into the current and was swept away, tumbling under the water.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

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 Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

A thick stand of rose of Sharon bushes guarded the path with strong woody branches full of wide pink blooms.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles