The following was received via email from Osoyoos: We were wondering if you could help us? We have a rose of sharon and were wondering if it should be pruned and if we should prune off some of the bottom shoots to make it grow taller. How high and how wide do they get? How long to mature? Thanking you in advance for your prompt reply.
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a moderately fast growing shrub characterized by large numbers of strongly upright shoots. These branches initially arise from near the base of the plant and eventually give the shrub a broadly rounded form. If lower branches are gradually removed, however, a clear trunk will develop. Size and growth rate are cultivar specific, but you can probably expect a 10 year old plant to be perhaps 5' tall by 4' wide. Flowering is dependent on the health of the plant and exposure to sunshine (hibiscus do not flower as well in the shade). Young plants will flower, but flowering tends to improve with age.
