The ubiquitous Rose-of-Sharon has been bursting into its mid-late-summer bloom all over town this past week. I’d resisted planting this because it is absolutely everywhere, but like the hosta and the hydrangea, it’s everywhere for a reason, and its blooming power and timing is key to such popularity. I’ve also found that anything coming into bloom at this late stage carries an excitement that would be lost in early June, when everything in the world seems to bloom.
Along with those reasons, the flowers are quite beautiful, especially when viewed close-up. When you only have one bush in your yard, the mainstream white-washing of it goes by the wayside, and you are left only with its merits, and the reasons it was so popular in the first place.
