Potted Rose of Sharon Spring Care

Replace Potting Compost

• Potting soil and potting compost break down during the year. In spring, give your rose of Sharon an extra boost in nutrients by replacing the top 2 inches of potting soil or potting compost, with fresh potting soil. Scoop out the top layer using your hands -- rather than a sharp trowel or tool -- to avoid damaging the roots. Then add fresh potting soil to the top of the soil. When replacing the soil, add it up to the base of the trunk.

Fertilizer

• Fertilize potted rose of Sharon shrub in spring, just before new buds emerge, to give it the nutrients it needs for a strong growing season. Scatter 1 tablespoon of general purpose, slow-release granular fertilizer onto the soil and scratch it into the top 1/2 inch of the potting soil. Keep the fertilizer away from the base of the trunk. Water after applying the granular fertilizer to release the nutrients. If the package label indicates a different application rate, follow the directions as concentrations can vary by product.

Pruning

• Late winter and early spring are the time to prune a potted rose of Sharon shrub. Use a pair of bypass pruning shears to cut back each branch. Prune the branches just above the second or third bud point from the end of the branch. Removing the outer growth on a rose of Sharon will stimulate growth and encourage larger flowers. Remove any broken branches and dead or diseased wood during the spring pruning. For larger branches, use a tree saw. Slender, pencil-thick new wood can be cut with pruning shears.

Water

• Pots, whether indoors, or out, dry out quickly. In hot weather, you can slow evaporation and water loss by using plastic, metal or glazed ceramic pots. Terra cotta pots and wood tend to dry out faster, which isn't a problem if you water regularly. In spring, even after a rain, it is important to water. A light rain can dampen the top of the soil, but leave the soil around the roots dry. When watering, soak the pot until water seeps out of the drainage holes in the bottom. Regular watering is important throughout the season.

Repotting

• A container-grown rose of Sharon shrub needs repotting only if it is starting to outgrow the pot, generally not more than every two to three years. Signs of it needing repotting include roots on the surface of the soil, slowed or weak growth and general lack or vigor. Pick a container that is 2 to 4 inches larger than the current container and make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom. Use potting soil or potting compost rather than garden soil. When repotting, handle the rose of Sharon by the base of the trunk and the root ball.