Diana Rose of Sharon

Diana Rose of Sharon is an upright flowering shrub admired for its large, pure white flowers. Unlike many other Rose of Sharon varieties, the blooms do not have a contrasting red center. Their clean white appearance stands out against the dark green foliage and helps brighten the landscape during the hottest part of summer.

The flowers begin appearing in summer and may continue into early fall, providing dependable color after many spring-flowering shrubs have finished. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators regularly visit the blooms, making Diana Rose of Sharon a useful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.

Its naturally upright, vase-shaped growth habit makes Diana a beautiful choice as a specimen shrub, flowering hedge, privacy screen, or background plant in a mixed border. It can also be trained into a small tree form by gradually removing selected lower branches. Give the shrub enough room to reach its mature height and width so it can develop its natural shape without frequent trimming.

Plant Diana Rose of Sharon in full sun for the strongest growth and heaviest flowering. It can tolerate some light shade, but plants growing with less sunlight may produce fewer blooms. Choose well-drained soil and water regularly during the first growing season while the roots become established.

Once established, Diana Rose of Sharon generally handles Southern heat, humidity, and short dry periods well. A two- to three-inch layer of mulch can help conserve soil moisture and reduce weeds. Keep the mulch several inches away from the main stems.

Because Diana blooms on new growth, it can be pruned in late winter or early spring before fresh leaves appear. Remove dead, damaged, weak, or crossing branches first, then lightly shape the remaining stems if needed. Our guide to pruning flowering shrubs provides more help with choosing the right pruning time.

The North Carolina Extension Diana Rose of Sharon profile provides additional information about its pure white flowers, sunlight needs, mature growth, and landscape uses.