rose of sharon?

[kathymc]

hi - got a rose of sharon bush late summer last year and didn't do any trimming or pruning at all. It is starting to bud along the branches (yipee) but at the tops of all the branches I never removed the old bloom shell (I don't really know what it is but it kind of looks like a star) should I have? should/can I do it now?

thanks bunches

[Snowwark]

Hi kathymc! :)

I don't have a Rose of Sharon, so I'm hoping one of our other Buds that does can give you some hands-on advice.

In the meantime, I've found a couple of sites with info on pruning Rose of Sharon. Take a peek and see if you can find some of the answers that you need! :)

Link #1 (http://www.csthome.tzo.com/BriansGarden/questions/020302q.html)

Link #2 (http://www.weallandcullen.com/pruning.html)

Kim :)

[Bildmouse]

I've always had rose of sharon around. I've never taken the time to remove the old shells and never had any problems with them blooming the next year. They are a very hardy plant and love to give many new starts back year after year.

[kathymc]

Bildmouse - will new blooms "push" the old shells off? they are only on the tops of the branches?

thanks for any additional info

[kathymc]

Bildmouse - will new blooms "push" the old shells off? they are only on the tops of the branches?

thanks for any additional info

and Snowwark, thanks for the links!

[Bildmouse]

The old shells will eventually fall off. I've never picked them off. Mine are taller than I could ever reach and there are just too many plants to pick them off of.

[Tulirose]

This will be the second full summer with Rose of Sharon back against the fence in the pool area. I'm hoping to grow a screen between us and the neighbors. I have not trimmed or removed any shells. I'm amazed at their growth. Some were just teeny tiny little sticks when we planted. I need to check out that website Snowwark posted and find out more info regarding this plant myself.

[amcnj]

Rose of Sharon grow quickly and also tend to spread. You'll be having many babies before you know it. Some are beautiful shades though. I have not known anyone who removed spent flowers nor really pruned them. They flowered every year, and took on a nice, natural shape.

[Yay2001]

One of my favorites! They are so easy to grow, and the blooms are the most beautiful of any flowering shrub! They are members of the hibiscus family, and have the same big trumpet like flowers.

I planted and ignored 2 -- one inexplicably died -- probabaly a too-wet spring followed by broiling summer did it. Remaining bush did just fine -- just watered occasionally. Prunde it for the first time this year, though, and it has just gone crazy -- very full, lots of buds -- my guess would be to prune every few years or so.

[DixieDreamer]

I need one of these. I was admiring one just the other day and now I am convinced... I must have at least one Rose of Sharon... (maybe two!). :)