Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus 'Gandini Santiago'

Proven Winners®

Narrow Columnar Form Fits Tight Spaces While Delivering Bold Purple Blooms All Summer Long
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 10-15 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Salt Tolerant
Showy Purple, Pink Blooms From Late Summer to Late Fall

$26⁸⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for the best flower production. While it tolerates partial shade, fewer hours of sun will result in a looser shape and significantly fewer blooms.
Soil: Use well-drained soil rich in organic matter. For heavy clay areas, mix in some aged bark or plant the root ball slightly above the soil line to prevent the roots from suffocating in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply twice a week to help the root system expand. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture can cause the shrub to drop its flower buds prematurely. Think of regular watering as the fuel needed to keep the heavy bloom cycle moving from midsummer through fall.

Pruning Tips

This variety blooms on new wood, so you should prune in late winter or early spring before the new leaves appear. Since it naturally grows in a narrow column, you only need to trim the tops to control height or remove any winter damaged tips. Pruning back the side branches slightly can also stimulate fresh growth, which leads to a higher volume of flowers.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers after midsummer because this triggers soft, green growth. That late season growth will not have enough time to toughen up before winter, making the plant more susceptible to cold damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Fast-growing, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Attracts pollinators, Attracts Hummingbirds, Hedge/Screen, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	10-15 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Upright
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Purple, Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Pet Safety	Non-toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Hibiscus
Botanical Name	Hibiscus syriacus 'Gandini Santiago'
Species	syriacus
Cultivar	Gandini Santiago
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, AZ, HI, ID, MT, PR

You'll love Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'Gandini Santiago') for its ability to squeeze into narrow spaces and smaller properties! When you don't have room to spread out… grow up! Columnar Rose of Sharon, also known as Althea, is easy to grow and a very low-maintenance, space-saving shrub!

Bold, semi-double blooms provide a dazzling accent! They're a gorgeous violet pink with striking red centers that feather and 'bleed' outward into the ruffled petals! These are like bullseyes and fine dining to bees, butterflies and even Hummingbirds that will flock to the garden! The flowers start popping in mid-summer and keep returning until fall!

This useful cousin of Hardy Hibiscus stays trim and tight, but puts on a lot of height! The graceful growth habit is strongly upright, reaching straight up to the sky. The bush produces few lateral branches, and most of the growth is pumped skyward. Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon has been field-tested for high performance for many years by the Proven Winners® team.

Planting and Application:

Rise to the challenges of modern landscapes with the help of these best-selling plants. Where can you use this unique shrub to your best advantage? Add these tall, skinny, flowering shrubs to your garden and enjoy swoon-worthy blooms that keep coming from summer through fall.

Although the strongly vertical form adds a formal touch, the flowers from summer through fall soften Purple Pillar's® look. They look wonderful anywhere...from a hodge-podge cottage garden to a high-end commercial landscape! This variety is a thoroughly modern Rose of Sharon that fits small spaces. Use several plants in a row to help hide the neighbor's second-story bedroom window or add several throughout your yard to get the most from your space and call pollinators galore!

This columnar shrub can certainly grow into a marvelous flowering hedge. Use several at your property line for a "friendly fence", or add a row on the sunny side to brighten up existing evergreen trees. Try them in combination with other hedging plants, like Linebacker Distylium or Chestnut Hill Cherry Laurel. Create your own unique hedgerow, or use Purple Pillar® at either end of an evergreen hedge to open and close the experience.

Flowering "living walls" helps your landscape live large. Create a series of garden rooms for entertaining and a getaway destination spot just for you. How would you decorate a Secret Garden? Place a small garden statue, a fountain, or a mini Peach tree in the center. Don't forget a comfy chair and an outdoor table!

This could become a lovely backdrop for a perennial garden border or Butterfly Garden. You'll have many visitors to these fetching mid-season flowers that bloom at an opportune time for pollinators. Purple Pillar® can be planted 18 - 24 inches apart on center, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next. Stagger a double row behind it for a faster screen.

Just want to hide the more utilitarian features of your landscape? You'll love the effective screening delivered by this rugged plant. It stays lean and strongly vertical for an incredible focal point. Tuck one anywhere in the sun as a specimen. They can even be planted in extra-large outdoor containers!

Huge Blue Violet Blooms
Graceful, Upright Shrub & Green Foliage
Hummingbirds, Pollinators & Butterflies Love the Nectar-Rich Blooms
Starts Blooming When Other Shrubs are Done for the Season
Stylish Flowering Privacy Hedge, Specimen, Backdrop & Accents

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant these low-maintenance shrubs in full sun for the most blooms. You'll have the most flowers with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Rose of Sharon needs well-drained soil that sheds water quickly. Use a raised bed or container if your native soil retains water for a long time. Keep the roots a bit moist but never wringing wet for long. A three-inch layer of arborist mulch over the root systems keeps them happy and cool. Reapply regularly, and it will work to improve the condition of your soil over time.

Pay careful attention to your young plants, and those grown in containers. They'll need a regular schedule of medium water. Please protect your investment with supplemental water during extended droughts. Deadhead after flowering reduces the seedlings that tend to sprout and become a nuisance in some areas of the country.

In early spring, you can prune Althea to shape them or reduce height. We do recommend you allow them to fill out their naturally graceful full spread. Tidy them as you like, but shearing is perhaps a bit extreme. Renewal prune every 3-5 years to maintain vigor. Rose of Sharon shrubs are durable, providing years of service with a modicum of care. This exciting variety represents a huge leap forward.

Low Maintenance in Full Sun
Widely Adaptable in Any Kind of Well-Drained Soil
Moderate Moisture Needs & Appreciates Mulched Beds
Keep to the Height You Want With Spring Pruning
Field-Tested to be Easy to Grow
Tolerates Salt & Deer Don't Prefer the Taste

Order our commercial-grade landscape materials from the expert growers at Nature Hills. You'll be absolutely thrilled with the high-quality Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon. After all, this plant is destined to be a superstar in your landscape. We have a limited quantity of these marvelous flowering, vertical columns! Please place your order of Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon today! Start with the best...place your order today!

Tree Form vs. Shrub Form

The details make all the difference in a garden. At Naturehills.com, we understand that little things like what form a plant is can greatly impact how you plan your landscape. So before you buy, don't forget to check which form you're getting.

Tree Form:

These are plants that have one stem coming from the ground. Plants can also be considered single stem when lower branches are removed to raise the height of the branching to a more desired height. Sometimes, you will hear a tree form referred to as a single stem.

Shrub Form:

These are bushy plants with many stems and branchings close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How tall and wide does Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon grow at maturity?

Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon reaches 8-10 feet tall but stays just 2-3 feet wide at maturity. This columnar growth habit makes it perfect for tight spaces where you need height without width. Plant 3-4 feet apart for hedging or use singles as narrow accent plants.

What type of soil does Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon prefer?

Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy conditions. This adaptable shrub isn't fussy about pH levels either. Plant in full sun for best flowering and shop at Nature Hills for healthy specimens.

How fast does Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon grow per year?

Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon grows at a moderate pace, typically adding 12-18 inches per year once established. This columnar shrub focuses its energy on upward growth rather than spreading outward. Expect to see strong vertical development during the growing season, with most height gained between spring and mid-summer.

Is Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon deer resistant?

Rose of Sharon varieties like Purple Pillar® are generally deer resistant due to their tough, fibrous foliage that deer typically avoid. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, this shrub's natural characteristics make it an excellent choice for areas with deer pressure. Plant in full sun for best results and strongest deer resistance.

What plants pair well with Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon in the landscape?

Purple Pillar pairs beautifully with low-growing perennials like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses that won't compete for vertical space. Its narrow 2-3 foot width leaves plenty of room for companion plantings. Plant shorter pollinator favorites in front to create a layered garden that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds all season long.

Does Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon require regular pruning?

Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon requires minimal pruning due to its naturally columnar growth habit and low-maintenance nature. This variety produces few lateral branches and focuses its energy on upward growth. Prune lightly in late winter if needed to maintain shape or remove any dead wood.