Rose of Sharon Planting Guide: How to Grow Rose of Sharon

The rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a deciduous shrub with green leaves that bloom hibiscus flowers. Rose of Sharon is often mistakenly called a tree, with numerous branches of foliage shooting out of one main trunk, but this is accomplished by systematic pruning. They bloom showy flowers—typically in blue, white, or pink—with prominent stamens. Rose of Sharon is native to India and China but can be propagated all over the world.

The rose of Sharon is commonly used as a hedging plant, though they will shed their leaves in the winter. The quickest way to propagate this flowering shrub is through stem cuttings, which typically root within two months if properly cared for. Rose of Sharon bushes also invite hummingbirds which act as pollinators and feed off of insects attracted to the bright flowers.

Rose of Sharon is an adaptable plant that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. It does well in full or partial sun and is resistant to drought once it is fully established.

Rose of Sharon is a versatile bush with many different cultivars that bloom different kinds of flowers. Here are some of the most popular varieties of the rose of Sharon.

1. 1. Blue chiffon: Flowers from the blue chiffon rose of Sharon bloom in blue-ish violet double flowers that have two sets of petals (an inner smooth petal, and an outer frilly petal).
2. 2. Sugar tip: Sugar tip flowers have double blooms, with frosty pink flower petals and cream-colored and green variegated leaves.
3. 3. Red heart: Red hearts are examples of a bicolored rose of Sharon where the shrub’s flowers have white petals with a deep red center.
4. 4. Aphrodite: Aphrodite rose of Sharon flowers are bright pink with a deep red center. They are less likely to grow in partial shade than other rose of Sharon varieties.
5. 5. White chiffon: White chiffon flowers are completely white, with no bicolored petals. These large flowers thrive in the summer.
6. 6. Azurri blue satin: Blue Satin rose of Sharon bushes feature blue-violet flowers that turn a deep magenta in the center.

The quickest way to grow rose of Sharon is from a stem cutting of an already-established shrub. Here is a quick guide on how to grow rose of Sharon from your own stem cuttings.

1. 1. Make your cuttings. Cut a branch from a mature rose of Sharon shrub that has a few leaves or buds growing on it. Trim you cutting to four or six inches long, and remove the leaves from the bottom half of your branch.
2. 2. Prepare a container for your cuttings. Fill your pot or container with a rich potting mix or organic soil. This is where you’ll be starting your stem cutting.
3. 3. Plant your cutting. To jump-start your cutting, dip the end of it in rooting hormone. Plant the end of your cutting into the potting mix, burying the bottom third or half of the stem. Water immediately so that the soil is moist but not soaked.
4. 4. Cover your container. Use a piece of clear plastic or cling wrap to cover the top of your container and your cutting. Leave the pot in a place with partial shade or indirect light for a week, watering when necessary to keep the soil moist.
5. 5. Check your pot. After a week, remove the plastic covering from the pot to check that the soil is moist. If the soil is dry, water it and cover it back up. Continue to water the cutting for one to two months, checking periodically to see if the cutting has rooted by gently pulling on the stem. Once the cutting has at least 2 inches of growth and is spouting new growth, you can move your rose of Sharon to the garden.
   
6. 6. Prepare your soil. Rose of Sharon is adaptable to many soils, but it functions best in alkaline soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
7. 7. Choose a spot. Pick a spot in your garden that gets partial sun and shade. The shrub does best with a mixture of both.
8. 8. Plant your bush. Gently remove your rose of Sharon plant from its container, taking care not to damage its root ball. Plant it so that the root system is completely covered by soil, at about the level that it was in your container.

Follow these care tips to help your rose of Sharon shrub thrive.

1. 1. Prune it into a tree. If you want to train your rose of Sharon into a small tree shape, you will need to prune it. Cut away the lower branches in winter or early spring to prepare for blooming months. This will help train your branches to shoot off of your main root or “trunk.”
2. 2. Keep in mind that they are late bloomers. If your rose of Sharon fails to bloom in spring or even by early summer, it doesn't mean your plant is dead. Rose of Sharon can be late bloomers.
3. 3. Water your rose of Sharon liberally when establishing it. When your rose of Sharon is first growing, it will need plenty of water. Try not to let the soil dry out too much between waterings. Once established, the rose of Sharon is fairly drought-tolerant and can survive in dried conditions.
4. 4. Monitor for pests. The most common pest to attack the rose of Sharon is the Japanese beetle. The best way to get rid of these large beetles is to pick or shake them off, or spray your bushes with soapy water.

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