Rose of Sharon Care
Hibiscus syriacus
A cold-hardy deciduous shrub that blooms abundantly in midsummer. It is suitable for hedges and specimen use; it wakes up late, so it should not be assumed dead in spring.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. In February-March, shorten last year's shoots to 2-3 buds; the flowers open on this year's shoots.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Flowering begins.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting. Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under them.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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