The rose of Sharon is part of the Malvaceae family. It is also known as the crocus or shrub Althea. The rose of Sharon traces its heritage to biblical times, and its name is derived from the Hebrew word for crocus. It is also the national flower of South Korea. It is easy to see why this flower is part of one of the most multicultural gardens in the world. The rose of Sharon is usually a light, delicate pink; it is characterized by wide, thin petals. It is prolific throughout the United States and blooms from June until September.