It is a low, creeping, woody shrub to about 1 m tall and 1–2 m wide but often smaller. The green, ovate leaves grow in opposite pairs. The solitary flowers are 3–5 cm in diameter, a rich yellow, with five petals and numerous yellow stamens. It is indigenous to southeastEurope and southwest Asia. It is a popular, semi-evergreen garden shrub with many named cultivars and hybrids derived from it.
In North America the name Rose of Sharon is applied to a species in a different order,Hibiscus syriacus
This species is capable of producing the same medicinally active components as H. perforatum (hyperforin etc.), though in different ratios, with adhyperforinpredominating, and a low level of hyperforin present.[3]