How to Prune a Rose of Sharon Plant

Hibiscus syriacus, commonly known as Rose of Sharon, is a hardy, easy to grow deciduous shrub that can grow to 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 wide if left alone. But unless you have ample space to accommodate this flowering shrub, pruning is necessary to keep it healthy and well-maintained.Because Rose of Sharon typically flowers in late summer and early fall, pruning should be done in late winter or very early spring just before new buds begin to break through.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears, sharpened and cleaned
• Garden gloves

Instructions

1. Make sure pruning shears are sharpened and cleaned well. It's always best to clean blades with soap and water and wipe with alcohol after every use to avoid transferring possible disease from one plant to another.

2. Decide which type of pruning cut is best for your shrub, depending on space, location and desired look. There are two types of pruning cuts: heading, which stimulates growth of new sprouts and buds close to the cut; and thinning, which reduces density without stimulating new growth.

3. Make heading cuts 1/4 inch above existing bud, sloping away and down on a slight angle. Cutting at too sharp an angle may cause buds to dry out. Likewise, cutting straight across may cause stub to rot because water will pool and not run off.

4. Make thinning cuts a few inches above an existing bud, retarding new growth and allowing greater ease of shaping. Apply same basic rule for cutting on a slight angle.

5. Pruning in fall, after flowering, may cause vigorous regrowth but, depending on the climate, stems may not harden in time to be protected against winter, leading to possible damage of the shrub. Summer pruning while blooms are still on tends to suppress growth of new foliage for the following season.

Tips & Warnings

• Wearing gloves will help protect hands and arms from scratches, especially if branches are overgrown and tough to handle.

• Rose of Sharon flowers die off and fall quickly after blooming. They also reseed themselves quickly, so unless you want a yard full of small plants, rake as often as possible.