Shrub or small tree ( Hibiscus syriacus , or Althaea syriaca ) in the mallow family , native to eastern Asia but widely planted as an ornamental for its showy flowers.
It can grow to 10 ft (3 m) and generally assumes a low-branching pyramid shape. The mallowlike flowers range from white and pinkish-lavender to purple, generally with a crimson base; some varieties have double flowers. The name also sometimes refers to the unrelated Aaron's-beard ( Hypericum calycinum ), a shrubby relative of St.-John's-wort .