Can You Transplant Rose of Sharon in the Spring?
Rose of Sharon is a popular flowering shrub valued for its upright form and large, colorful blooms Its flowers come in shades of blue, pink, purple, red, and white With star-shaped petals and prominent yellow stamens, the blossoms add cheer to the garden in summer when few other plants are in bloom.
If your Rose of Sharon shrubs have outgrown their space or you want to redesign your landscape, you may be wondering, “Can I transplant Rose of Sharon in the spring?” The short answer is yes, spring can be an ideal time to transplant Rose of Sharon. However, for the best results, it’s important to follow some key tips.
When is the Optimal Time to Transplant Rose of Sharon?
While spring transplanting is possible, the optimal transplanting time for Rose of Sharon is during dormancy in late fall or early winter. This gives the shrubs the entire winter to settle in and establish roots before the growing season resumes in spring.
Transplanting during dormancy puts less stress on the plant Actively growing shrubs don’t appreciate being dug up and moved If you transplant Rose of Sharon in spring, do it as early as possible, before growth starts.
Fall transplanting has another advantage – you can see the structure of the dormant shrub clearly. This makes it easier to determine if corrective pruning is needed before or after transplanting. With spring transplanting, it’s harder to tell if inner branches are crossing or damaged.
Why Spring Transplanting Can Work
While fall is best, spring transplanting is still possible if other factors are right:
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Transplant very early in spring before any new growth emerges.
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Choose a cool, cloudy day to reduce transplant shock.
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Ensure the plant is well-watered before and after transplanting.
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Prune any damaged roots and branches before replanting.
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Plant at the same depth as before and water deeply.
Spring transplanting gives Rose of Sharon the entire growing season to develop new roots before going dormant in fall. Just be sure to transplant as early as possible in spring for the lowest stress.
Tips for Successful Spring Transplanting
Follow these tips to give your Rose of Sharon shrubs the best chance of thriving after a spring transplant:
- Wait for ideal conditions
Pick a cool, cloudy spring day with moderate temperatures if possible. Avoid transplanting in overly wet soil or on hot, sunny days.
- Prune before digging
Prune to open up the center of the shrub and remove any dead or damaged branches before digging. This prevents further damage during transplanting.
- Water well before and after
Water shrubs thoroughly a day or two before transplanting. Then water deeply again after replanting. Proper watering reduces stress.
- Dig deeply
Use a sharp shovel to dig at least 12 inches away from the plant. Retain as much of the intact root ball as possible when lifting.
- Transplant at the same depth
Ensure the top of the root ball sits level with the soil surface after transplanting, just as it was before.
- Backfill firmly
Refill the planting hole with soil, tamping down firmly around the shrub to remove air pockets.
- Mulch transplants
Spread 2-3 inches of shredded bark or other organic mulch around transplants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Stake if needed
Stake larger shrubs for support if they are top heavy or seem unstable after transplanting.
- Water consistently
Water spring transplants regularly, providing about an inch of moisture per week. Increase watering during hot, dry periods.
When to Fertilize After Transplanting
Hold off on fertilizing Rose of Sharon until about a month after transplanting. This gives the roots time to recover and start growing before being stimulated by fertilizer. Then use a balanced, granular fertilizer as growth resumes.
Monitor Carefully After Transplanting
After transplanting Rose of Sharon in spring, monitor them closely. Water immediately if the soil dries out. Watch for signs of transplant shock like leaf wilt or drop. Be prepared to provide extra care if needed.
With proper timing, technique, aftercare and TLC, Rose of Sharon can be successfully transplanted in spring. While fall transplanting is less stressful, the shrubs can still adapt and flourish if moved carefully in early spring.
Blog Network: Marthas Circle
Another garden transformation is underway at my Bedford, New York farm.
Some of you may be familiar with my long and winding pergola garden. One side is filled with lots of flowering bulbs and perennials that bloom at different times throughout the year. In spring, a palette of purple, blue, and lavender covers the area. And in summer, it erupts with hundreds of bright orange lilies. On the other side, I grow Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus – upright deciduous shrubs that produce colorful, cup-shaped flowers from summer to fall. Rose of Sharon is valued for its tight form and large blossoms in shades of blue, lavender, pink, and white – providing a lovely show of color when few other plants are in bloom. This season, I decided to move all the Rose of Sharon. Transplanting Rose of Sharon is not difficult to do, but there are some tips that will help make this chore easier.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
How To Transplant an Old Rose of Sharon Plant
FAQ
Can you move an established Rose of Sharon?
Moving the shrubs in the fall when they are completely dormant will be less stressful, and will give them all winter and spring to establish a strong root system before their flowering period. It is also possible to transplant in spring.
Do you cut back Rose of Sharon in the spring?
- Only prune while dormant in late winter or early spring. …
- Make your pruning cuts cleanly, at a 45-degree angle, just above an outward-facing bud.
- Remove any crossing branches and remove branches that head into the center of the canopy, too.
Can you plant a branch from a Rose of Sharon?
When to take rose of Sharon cuttings is not complicated, as taking cuttings from rose of Sharon bushes is easy and versatile. You can do it at almost any time of year and plant it in a few different ways. In early to midsummer, take green rose of Sharon plant cuttings.
What month is best to plant Rose of Sharon?
When is the best time to plant rose of Sharon? It can be planted in either spring or early fall when the weather is cooler.