Rose of Sharon - Ask Extension
I have over 20 Rose of Sharon plants around the perimeter of my yard. I know that they are not native and are considered either invasive or aggressive...
Knowledgebase
Rose of Sharon #926245
Asked March 18, 2026, 2:57 PM EDT
I have over 20 Rose of Sharon plants around the perimeter of my yard. I know that they are not native and are considered either invasive or aggressive. I have seen the many seedlings in my own yard which I try to pull or my husband mows over.
Question #1: Is this a species that needs to be removed based on the possibility of encroachment on the natural environment? (I live near the OSU corridor of the Olentangy River.)
Question #2: If it is personal preference issue, are there any benefits of this plant besides the bees loving the flowers?
Question #3: If I decide to remove them, should this be done gradually so as not to dramatically disrupt the nectar/pollen provided to the bees?
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello,
By definition an invasive is a plant that is non-native and can escape into natural areas by reseeding, which can subsequently crowd out native species.
The Rose of Sharon shrub, Hibiscus syriacus, is a native of China and India. Some cultivars are considered invasive because of their habit of self seeding very readily. Older varieties are especially prone to this because of copious seed production.
That being said, it is not listed on Ohio's invasive plant list. But as you mention, it has reseeded in your yard. This means it may have the ability to escape into natural areas where there are no controls on its proliferation. It would be impossible for me to predict whether these shrubs will invade the Olentangy River corridor. But it's entirely possible for the seed to be carried by birds to areas other than your yard.
If you should decide to remove the Rose of Sharon there are many alternative shrubs which can provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. Many native trees are also good pollen and nectar sources. The addition of a small flowering perennial flower garden will add to the pollinators' food sources.
Another advantage of planting native shrubs, trees, and flowering plants is that butterflies and moths lay their eggs on specific native plants and then the larva eat the leaves of either the shrub, tree or perennial in order to develop into adults. In this way, the butterfly and moth population can be increased in your yard.
There are many options for substituting native plants for the Rose of Sharon. It's much more beneficial for pollinators to plant native, in addition to diversifying the plant selection in your yard.
Please take a look at the information contained in the links below. Feel free to write back if you should have questions about any of this information.
Thanks for asking Ask Extension.
Betsy B. - MGV
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/invasive-plants
https://plantfacts.osu.edu/tmi/Plantlist/hi_iacus.html
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5813
https://plantfacts.osu.edu/tmi/Plantlist/cl_folia.html
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/trees-and-shrubs-pollinators#shrubs-under-6-feet-tall-2812464
https://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/resources/native-host-plants-for-butterflies
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/itea-virginica-little-henry/
https://extension.psu.edu/fothergilla-a-four-season-shrub-to-consider-for-your-garden
By definition an invasive is a plant that is non-native and can escape into natural areas by reseeding, which can subsequently crowd out native species.
The Rose of Sharon shrub, Hibiscus syriacus, is a native of China and India. Some cultivars are considered invasive because of their habit of self seeding very readily. Older varieties are especially prone to this because of copious seed production.
That being said, it is not listed on Ohio's invasive plant list. But as you mention, it has reseeded in your yard. This means it may have the ability to escape into natural areas where there are no controls on its proliferation. It would be impossible for me to predict whether these shrubs will invade the Olentangy River corridor. But it's entirely possible for the seed to be carried by birds to areas other than your yard.
If you should decide to remove the Rose of Sharon there are many alternative shrubs which can provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. Many native trees are also good pollen and nectar sources. The addition of a small flowering perennial flower garden will add to the pollinators' food sources.
Another advantage of planting native shrubs, trees, and flowering plants is that butterflies and moths lay their eggs on specific native plants and then the larva eat the leaves of either the shrub, tree or perennial in order to develop into adults. In this way, the butterfly and moth population can be increased in your yard.
There are many options for substituting native plants for the Rose of Sharon. It's much more beneficial for pollinators to plant native, in addition to diversifying the plant selection in your yard.
Please take a look at the information contained in the links below. Feel free to write back if you should have questions about any of this information.
Thanks for asking Ask Extension.
Betsy B. - MGV
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/invasive-plants
https://plantfacts.osu.edu/tmi/Plantlist/hi_iacus.html
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5813
https://plantfacts.osu.edu/tmi/Plantlist/cl_folia.html
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/trees-and-shrubs-pollinators#shrubs-under-6-feet-tall-2812464
https://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/resources/native-host-plants-for-butterflies
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/itea-virginica-little-henry/
https://extension.psu.edu/fothergilla-a-four-season-shrub-to-consider-for-your-garden
