Posted by Brent Wilson on 11/10/2016 to Fertilizing & Watering Tips


When planted correct and in the right spot,Hibiscus syriacus, commonly called Rose of Sharon or Althea, are exceptionally easy to grow.

Here's a breakup of what you need to know for how to plant and care for Rose of Sharon Hibiscus...

Cultural Preferences

Soil

Rose of Sharon volition grow in a wide range of soils, including dirt soils, preferring a moist but well-drained soil. As with so many other types of ornamental plants, constantly wet soils can cause root rot and other harmful found diseases.

How To Test Soil Drainage

If y'all are uncertain about soil drainage in the surface area y'all intend to plant your Rose of Sharon, it's well worth taking the time to test the drainage before planting.

To test soil drainage, dig a hole 12" wide past 12" deep in the planting surface area. Fill the hole with water and allow it drain. Then, after it drains, fill it with water again, but this time clock how long it takes to drain. In well-drained soil the h2o level will go down at a rate of about 1 inch an hr. A faster charge per unit, such every bit in loose, sandy soil, may signal potentially dry site weather condition. A slower rate indicates poor draining soil and is a caution y'all need to amend drainage, plant in a raised mound or bed, or look for plants that are more tolerant of wet or boggy soil weather condition.

Soil pH

Rose of Sharon thrive in a broad range of soil pH from around five.5 to 7.five on the pH calibration. Most average garden soils autumn betwixt a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Testing Soil pH

Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-xiv, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below seven indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline.

If you're unsure about the pH of your soil, and whether or non it'south suitable for growing Rose of Sharon, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting surface area. You can rapidly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make more than alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you tin can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increment acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.

Calorie-free Preferences

Rose of Sharon will grow well in full dominicus or part shade. For best flowering and overall performance, we suggest a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight.

How To Institute A Rose of Sharon Hibiscus

Scroll downward for container planting instructions and care tips

Step one

Starting time by digging your planting hole at to the lowest degree ii to three times as wide and as deep or not much deeper than the root ball of your Rose of Sharon. The wider the hole the ameliorate. Place native soil removed from planting pigsty around the perimeter of the pigsty, in a wheel barrow, or on a tarp.

Step ii

Depending on the type, fertility and porosity of the soil in the planting area, it might be beneficial to amend the native soil. When planting in heavy dirt or poor soil it is beneficial to thoroughly mix in a good soil conditioner, planting mix, or other organic matter at a 50/50 ratio with the soil removed from the planting pigsty. When planting in very sandy, quick-draining soil top soil, organic compost, or peat moss tin can exist added to help retain moisture. When planting in fertile, moist but well-drained soil there is no demand to ameliorate soil.

Pace 3

To remove your Rose of Sharon from the container it was growing in first squeeze the sides of the container to loosen root ball. Then grasp the base of operations of the plant andvery gentlyattempt to elevator and remove the root ball from its container. If the root ball is stuck in the container it's best to use snips to cut away the container. After having removed the plant from the container, loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the root brawl. If root bound, you can spray the sides and bottom of the root ball with a stream of water from a garden hose. This will assist to launder away some soil from the exterior of the root brawl making information technology easier to loosen roots.

Step 4

Set your Rose of Sharon in the planting hole and then that the meridian edge of the root ball is at or slightly above footing level to allow for settling. If necessary, add some backfill soil mixture to the bottom of the hole to achieve proper planting height.

Notation:If the soil is poorly drained (constantly soggy or wet) improve soil drainage in the planting area or select a different plant species tolerant of wet soils.

Pace 5

After setting your Rose of Sharon in the planting pigsty, use one hand to hold the establish straight and your other hand to brainstorm back-filling your soil mixture effectually the root ball, tamping as you get to remove air pockets. When you have filled the pigsty to the halfway betoken you can soak the soil. So keep back-filling to the top edge of the root ball. To avert suffocating your establish, donot put whatsoever soil on top of the root ball.

Notation: If yous are planting your Rose of Sharon with the top of the root ball above ground taper your soil mixture from the top edge of the root brawl to footing level so that essentially your are planting in a raised mound. Roots should not be exposed above basis.

Step 6 (Optional)

When planting your Rose of Sharon far abroad from a water source, you can use remaining soil mixture to build a h2o retaining berm (catch basin / doughnut) effectually the outside perimeter of the planting pigsty, as shown in the diagram above. This basin will help to collect water from rainfall and irrigation frequently reducing watering frequency. The berm can be removed after a growing season or when the plant has established itself.

Pace 7

Next, deeply h2o the planting area, including the root brawl, to a depth equal to the height of the root ball. For an extra boost, yous can h2o your newly planted Rose of Sharon with a solution of Root Stimulator, which stimulates early on root germination and stronger root development. Root Stimulator reduces constitute shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants.

Pace viii


To conserve moisture and to suppress weed growth, employ a ane to 2" layer of shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the planting area. As the mulch decomposes it will add vital nutrients to the soil that your institute will appreciate. Avoid using freshly chipped or shredded woods for mulch until information technology has cured in a pile for at least 6 months, a year is amend. Avoid placing or piling mulch straight against the base of your plant every bit this could cause the bark to rot.

How To Grow and Care Hibiscus Rose of Sharon

Feeding - Watering - Pruning

How To Fertilize  Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon are moderate feeders that will benefit from fertilization. We suggest feeding Rose of Sharon in late winter or early on jump with a quality slow-release shrub & tree blazon fertilizer or a natural organic institute nutrient as directed on the production label.

Soil pH - Rose of Sharon grow all-time in a wide range of soil pH ranging from around 5.v to 7.5 on the pH scale. Near average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to seven.0.

How To Water Rose of Sharon

Notation:  When watering with an automated irrigation organisation information technology's best to gear up your timer to h2o during the early morning hours and not in the late evening or at nighttime, which can lead to the onset of fungus and other foliar diseases. During the first few weeks after planting, check soil moisture often and arrange irrigation time if necessary to go along the soil moist, not moisture.

At Planting Fourth dimension

Immediately afterwards planting deep soak the soil in the planting area to a depth equal to the height of the plants root ball. For an extra boost, to stimulate early on root germination and stronger root development, you lot can also water y'all newly planted Rose of Sharon with a solution of Root Stimulator, which reduces transplant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants.

Notation:  Shrubs planted during the winter dormant season, when plants are not actively growing and evaporation is much slower, will require much less water. And so, be actress careful non to overwater during winter!

During the First Growing Season

In boilerplate garden soil you lot should not take to h2o your newly planted Rose of Sharon every day. More often than not, this causes soggy soil weather that can lead to root rot and other harmful plant diseases. In the absence of sufficient rainfall, water only as needed to go along the root ball and surrounding soil damp to moist. Keep in listen that deep soaking less frequently, allowing the soil to dry somewhat before watering again, is much better than splashing just a little h2o on the plants every day.

Thereafter

When established, Rose of Sharon are quite drought tolerant plants. Only during prolonged periods of summer drought will plants require supplemental irrigation. If you lot see leaves wilting or falling from the plant during a drought this is a sign your plants could use a deep soaking.

How To Prune Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon do not require pruning nonetheless reply very well to it. They can be grown as a shrub or lower branches can exist removed to class a very attractive small tree.

When to Prune

For shaping purposes or to substantially reduce size, Rose of Sharon tin be pruned annually in belatedly winter or early leap, before new growth begins. A stray branch that is spoilinjg the shape of the constitute can be pruned any time of year. A damaged or dead branch should be removed when it occurs.

Notation: Cease any pruning ii months prior to the boilerplate showtime-frost date in your area.

How To Prune

Rose of Sharon can exist grown as a shrub or formed into a very attractive pocket-size tree.

Shaping:  For general shaping to proceed the institute tidy, you lot tin use a sharp pair of bypass manus pruners to prune branches that have outgrown the residual of the shrub and are spoiling the shape of the plant. Cut these branches back to a point a few inches or so higher up the principal grade of the plant. Suckers growing from the base of operations of the constitute or leaves growing along the trunks can be removed whatsoever fourth dimension of year.

Tree Forming: To tree course, await until your Rose of Sharon is about 3 to 4 feet tall. At that time, outset at the base of the institute by removing the lateral branches, twiggy growth and leaves growing from trunk(s). Keep removing branches until you lot've reached the desired elevation and are satisfied with the appearance. Before making your cuts, make sure that the removal of a branch will non spoil the shape of the canopy. Also, betwixt each cut take a few steps dorsum to have a look at your plant.

Plant Long & Prosper!