This is a commonly cultivated shrub (as Hibiscus, Rose-of-Sharon or "Althaea"), with much variation in flower color. Most records mapped here are probably persistent plantings at old home sites. It is not clear if the species often spreads from seed, but this has been reported (W. Overbeck & D. Taylor, pers. comm.). Like other species of Hibiscus (Klips & Keeney 2010), predation of seeds may have a significant effect on populations; R. Stauffer (pers. comm.) has repeatedly observed complete consumption of seeds by chipmunks, from a bush in his Lexington garden (FAYE). Bark, leaves and flowers have much traditional human use in East Asia for medicine, tea or food; plants contain diverse phenolic compounds, triterpene derivatives and phytosteroids (Maghana et al. 2009).