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How to Plant Rose of Sharon

Plant rose of Sharon after final spring frost in climates with cold winters. It can be planted in late fall in southern climates. A full sun location that receives 6 to 8 hours of bright exposure daily gives the most robust flowering. Rose of Sharon doesn't tolerate boggy soil but adapts to even poor soil as long as it drains well. Follow these steps for planting.

1. Dig a hole. Make the hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
2. Set the plant. Place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is even with surrounding soil.
3. Back fill in. Use soil removed from the hole to fill in all around the root ball.
4. Water thoroughly. Give newly planted shrubs a deep watering and provide an inch of irrigation weekly until a good root system is established.
5. Add mulch. Spread a 2 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture.
6. Correctly space multiple plants. Allow 6 to 10 feet between full size shrubs depending on variety. Dwarf cultivars can be planted 24 inches apart.

Rose of Sharon Care

Here are the main care requirements for rose of Sharon:

• Plant rose of Sharon in the spring or fall, 6' to 10' apart, in a location with full sun and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil
• Tolerant of urban conditions, heat, humidity, poor soil, and drought
• Primarily used as a specimen, hedge, or foundation plant
• Readily self-seeds, so be prepared to remove seedlings if you don't want more rose of Sharon in your landscape.
• Young plants will need regular watering and feeding to help them get started, but plan to water mature shrubs only during prolonged periods of drought
• Prune regularly to keep the shrub to the desired shape.