rose of sharon
• noun
North American An ornamental deciduous shrub of the mallow family native to Asia, featuring large, showy, bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, red, or purple.
"We planted a rose of sharon in the front yard to attract hummingbirds during the late summer."
An unidentified flower mentioned in the biblical Song of Solomon, historically interpreted as a crocus or lily native to the coastal Plain of Sharon, and frequently used as a literary or religious symbol.
"In the poem, the author invokes the rose of sharon to symbolize pure and divine beauty."
British A low-growing evergreen shrub native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, known for its bright yellow flowers and frequently used as ground cover.
"The gardener recommended growing rose of sharon on the steep bank to help prevent soil erosion."
Word Nuance & Usage
The common name 'rose of sharon' refers to different plants depending on the region; in North America, it typically denotes the deciduous shrub Hibiscus syriacus, while in Britain and Australia, it frequently refers to the evergreen creeping shrub Hypericum calycinum.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.