For reasons that may just turn out to be unfathomable, our Rose of Sharon shrubs are always late in blooming, typically behind the debut members of the Hibiscus syriacus clan by a week or two. This year, however, the tardiness is more than compensated for by the huge number of blossoms these natives of China are bearing. If the right weather conditions prevail, it's going to be a memorable show, to say nothing of a remarkable year for the Rose of Sharon's many diverse pollinators.