Rose of Sharon shrubs are classified as hardy in USDA zones 5-8. Within those zones, they should overwinter easily, barring exceptional weather. If you are growing in zone 5 or 4, or expecting unusually cold weather, you may be wondering how you can help protect your plant to help it survive until spring?
Winterizing your rose of sharon shrubs is an essential process that helps protect these delicate plants from harsh winter conditions. Proper winterization ensures the plants’ health and longevity, equipping them to withstand the changing temperatures that come with the winter season. In this comprehensive guide we will walk you through the key steps for successfully winterizing your rose of sharon.
Understanding Rose of Sharon’s Winter Hardiness
Rose of sharon is classified as hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9. This means it can typically withstand minimum winter temperatures down to about -10 to -20°F without significant damage.
In zones 5-6 where winter lows reach -10°F on average, rose of sharon can benefit from extra winter protection. Providing insulation will help buffer the plants against bitterly cold winds and temperatures below their hardiness range.
Container-grown rose of sharon and younger plants are more susceptible to winter damage as well. Their roots are less established and pots provide less insulation than being planted in the ground.
When to Prepare Rose of Sharon for Winter
Take steps to get your rose of sharon ready for winter in early to mid fall before the first frost hits. This gives the plants time to harden off fully for dormancy.
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Stop fertilizing in July so tender new growth isn’t produced late in the season.
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Prune back any dead or damaged branches. Save major pruning for late winter.
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Water deeply before the ground freezes to ensure sufficient moisture.
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Add 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to insulate the roots.
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Wrap or cover the shrubs if needed for your climate.
Providing Winter Insulation and Protection
The main threat to rose of sharon in winter is damage from severe cold and drying winds. Take these steps to insulate and protect plants:
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Wrap shrubs with burlap, frost cloth, or landscape fabric, securing it loosely around the branches. Leave the top open.
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Surround potted plants with straw or leaves between the pot and outer wrapping.
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Place temporary frames around wrapped plants to hold insulation material.
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Move containers against south-facing walls or structures to utilize radiant heat.
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Insulate the roots by mounding chopped leaves or compost around the base.
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Water during warm spells if soil is dry 2′′ deep. Avoid overwatering.
Caring for Rose of Sharon Over Winter
Rose of sharon care in winter primarily involves providing insulation before cold sets in. Once winter arrives, maintenance is minimal:
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Check wrappings to ensure they are secure and haven’t compressed.
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Water occasionally during warm spells if rainfall is lacking.
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Avoid heavy pruning in fall or winter when branches are vulnerable.
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Remove wrappings in early spring once the worst of winter has passed.
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Prune out dead wood after new growth emerges.
Protecting Potted Rose of Sharon in Winter
Container-grown rose of sharon will likely need extra insulation over winter. If possible, move pots against a sheltered, sunny wall or under an overhang.
Before temperatures drop below freezing, surround pots with insulating materials like straw, leaves, or bubble wrap. Place the pot inside a frame or cage to hold insulation in place.
Water sparingly over winter. Check soil moisture every few weeks and water only if the top few inches are dry. Avoid fertilizing potted plants until spring.
Caring for Young Rose of Sharon Plants Over Winter
Young and newly planted rose of sharon plants are more vulnerable to winter damage until their root systems become established. Take extra care to insulate first-year plants:
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Wrap the main trunks with burlap or protective material. Completely cover smaller branches with a wrapped frame.
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Pile mulch several inches deep around the base.
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Check plants often for any signs of damage.
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Water young shrubs over winter if rainfall is low.
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Remove wrappings in early spring to allow new growth.
Key Steps for Winterizing Rose of Sharon
Here is a summary of the key steps for properly winterizing rose of sharon:
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Stop fertilizing in midsummer so plants harden off for dormancy.
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Prune out dead wood in early fall. Save major pruning for late winter.
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Water deeply before ground freezes to hydrate plants.
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Add mulch around the base to insulate roots from hard freezes.
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Wrap or cover shrubs if extra protection is needed.
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Check plants over winter and water occasionally during warm dry spells.
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Remove insulation once winter dangers have passed in spring.
Enjoy Rose of Sharon Year After Year
With proper winterization, your rose of sharon will continue thriving for years to come. A bit of insulation goes a long way in shielding tender branches and roots from cold damage. Just follow these key tips, and you can continue enjoying rose of sharon’s vibrant blooms despite winter’s chill.
Preparing Rose of Sharon for Winter
While generally we are not thinking about winter in July, it’s important to know not to fertilize these shrubs after this month. Fertilizing too late in summer can cause tender new growth to grow, which can be damaged by frost later. It also wastes the plant’s energy on this new growth, when it should be putting energy into developing strong roots that can withstand the winter chill. Rose of sharon plants bloom in late summer to early autumn. In October, the flowers fade and develop into seed pods. The seeds that develop are a source of winter food for goldfinches, titmice, cardinals, and wrens. The remaining seeds drop close to the parent plant in the winter and may germinate in spring, creating colonies of the shrub. To prevent unwanted plants, deadhead rose of sharon flowers in late fall. You can also collect these seeds for later plantings by putting nylon pantyhose or paper bags over the developing seed pods. When the pods split open, the seeds will be caught in the nylon or bags.
Rose of Sharon Winter Care
In most zones, preparing rose of sharon for winter is not necessary. In zone 5, though, its a good idea to add a heap of mulch over the plant crown for protecting rose of sharon in winter. Potted rose of sharon may need winter protection as well. Either heap mulch or straw over potted plants or wrap with bubble wrap. It’s most important that the plant crown be protected in colder climates. Protecting rose of sharon in winter when it’s planted in areas of high wind may also be necessary. Since rose of sharon blooms on new wood, you can lightly prune, as needed, throughout the year. Any heavy pruning should be done as part of your rose of sharon winter care regiment in February and March. Rose of sharon leafs out later in spring than many other shrubs, so if you cannot get out to prune it in February or March, just do it before new growth begins in spring. Do not do heavy pruning of rose of sharon in autumn.
Pruning Rose of Sharon in the winter
FAQ
Do I cut back the Rose of Sharon for winter?
Because rose of Sharon blooms on the current season’s growth it should be pruned in late winter. Next winter, remove any new growth from the previous year and an additional third from the existing old growth.
How to winterize a Rose of Sharon tree?
Winter care: Rose of Sharon is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, but in areas with severe winters, it may benefit from additional protection like wrapping with burlap or covering with a protective cloth. Remove any dead or damaged wood in the spring to promote new growth.
What is the lowest temperature for Rose of Sharon?
But unlike their frost-averse relatives, these cold-hardy Asian natives can take southern heat and still survive northern cold. Rose of Sharon shrubs thrive from U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, enduring winter temperatures as extreme as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why do Rose of Sharon plants need to be winterized?
Winterizing your Rose of Sharon plants is an essential process that helps in protecting the delicate plants from harsh winter conditions. Proper winterization ensures the plants’ health and longevity, equipping them to withstand the changing temperatures that come with the winter season.
How do you winterize a Rose of Sharon plant?
Answer: Some of the steps include cutting back on watering, mulching around the base of the plant using organic matter, and protecting the plant by wrapping it in burlap or frost blankets. Can I still fertilize my rose of sharon plants during the winterization process?
How do you protect a Rose of Sharon in winter?
Potted rose of sharon may need winter protection as well. Either heap mulch or straw over potted plants or wrap with bubble wrap. It’s most important that the plant crown be protected in colder climates. Protecting rose of sharon in winter when it’s planted in areas of high wind may also be necessary.
Should I prune my Rose of Sharon before winter?
Pruning your Rose of Sharon plants before winter is essential to keep them healthy and strong. During the winter, the plant goes into dormancy, and cutting off dead branches, shaping the plant, and looking for suckers is the best way to control growth and encourage new blooms during the next growing season.
Can you plant Rose of Sharon in winter?
To prevent unwanted plants, deadhead rose of sharon flowers in late fall. You can also collect these seeds for later plantings by putting nylon pantyhose or paper bags over the developing seed pods. When the pods split open, the seeds will be caught in the nylon or bags. In most zones, preparing rose of sharon for winter is not necessary.
Do Roses of Sharon lose their leaves in winter?
There are several steps you can take to help buffer your plant from the coldest temperatures and avoid winter burn or damage. You want to make sure your plant is hydrated, and properly covered or insulated from freezing winds. Roses of Sharon are deciduous shrubs, so will lose their leaves in fall.