As a rule, the best time to prune your Rose of Sharon is anywhere from March to early May, before the blooms begin to open. [2] X Research source Cutting back your Rose of Sharon too early or too late can “shock” the plant, leaving it vulnerable to the elements and stunting healthy new growth.
For thick or stubborn branches, you may need to grab a pair of heavy-duty loppers or a handheld pruning saw. [4] X Research source If you’re not sure whether a particular branch is actually dead, try scraping off a little bit of the bark. If the wood underneath has a greenish tinge to it, leave it be.
In addition to making your shrubs look better, getting rid of criss-crossing branches will also open them up in the middle, proving airflow essential for keeping pests and diseases at bay.
Once they begin sprouting, suckers will typically return within a few months. This means you may need to cut them back 2-3 times a year. [7] X Research source Not only are root suckers an eyesore, they can also sap vital nutrients from the soil if they’re not removed right away.
The practice of significantly reducing a plant’s overall size is referred to as “hard” or “rejuvenation” pruning. Hard pruning is useful for promoting healthy new growth in old or failing plants. It’s safe to prune Rose of Sharon down to bare stubs that are only 2–3 feet (0. 61–0. 91 m) in length while it’s still dormancy. Keep in mind that the more branches you cut, the fewer flowers there will be when the shrub finally blooms. However, the flowers that are there will be much bolder and more vibrant since the plant will be able to devote more of its resources to the remaining growth.
Handle the seed pods carefully to keep them from splitting open accidentally. If the seed pods are allowed to reach maturity, they’ll eventually fall off and scatter tiny seeds all over your yard or garden. This could leave you with a small forest of unwanted Rose of Sharon plants.
For a more natural appearance, trim the individual branches so that they’re slightly different heights. [11] X Research source If left untended, an average-sized Rose of Sharon can grow to heights of up to 8–12 feet (2. 4–3. 7 m).
Strategic shaping can make thriving plants that are outgrowing their plots, blocking off walkways, or overtaking neighboring species more manageable. Any flowering branches you cut will soon rebloom come the start of the next growing season.
Remove new offshoots on the central branch as soon as they begin popping up to preserve the plant’s new shape. [14] X Research source While Rose of Sharon is technically a flowering shrub, many gardening enthusiasts prefer to raise them as small trees, which makes them easier to maintain. Giving your Rose of Sharon a tree shape can be useful if space in your yard or garden is at a premium and you don’t have room for a full-sized shrub.
