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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rose of Sharon

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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