https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:714441b1-136d-3666-bdd6-e2f7f5f05ff4Rose of Sharon

*Image on cover is representative of the type of plant(s) in this offer and

nothttps://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:714441b1-136d-3666-bdd6-e2f7f5f05ff4 necessarily indicative of actual size or color for the included variety. SOIL PREPARATION

Full to part sun.

LIGHT/SUN

EXPOSURE

USDA HARDINESS

ZONES

PLANTING

DISTANCE

IN-GROUND

5 to 9.

8 feet tall with a 4 foot spread.

At least 4 feet apart.

MATURE

HEIGHT/SPREAD

Early summer to fall.

24 months.

Heat tolerant.

Attracts pollinators.

Low maintenance and easy to grow.

BLOOM TIME

TIME TO REACH

MATURITY

FACTS OF NOTE

PLANT TYPE Perennial.

CONTAINER SIZE

One plant per 24-inch or larger

container.

We recommend having your soil tested periodically by your local County Extension Office (www.nifa.usda.gov/ extension or by calling 1-800-***-****). A soil test can determine if your soil needs any amendments to enhance the growth and performance of your plants.

Ideal garden soil is easy to dig in and drains well while still holding the nutrients and water vital to plant growth. To prepare a bed for in-ground planting, spade or till the soil to a depth of roughly 12-18 inches. Next, spread a 2-4 inch layer of organic matter such as compost, shredded leaves or peat moss over the soil and mix well.

QUICK REFERENCE PLANTING GUIDE

CONTINUING CARE

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

FEEDING

Feed your plants once every 2-3 weeks during the

growing season with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Cottage Farms' Carefree Bud-N-Flower Booster

(SKU #M7582). Discontinue feeding after September

1st so your plants can harden off for winter dormancy. Resume fertilizing when new growth appears in spring. MULCHING

Keep the area around your plants free of weeds.

Weeds compete with surrounding plants for food,

water and light. Walk around the garden periodically and pull weeds, including the roots, as soon as you see them.

WINTERIZING

Watering thoroughly in late fall will greatly enhance your plant's cold tolerance once the ground has

frozen.

While Rose of Sharon shrubs are winter hardy, they will benefit from mulching in cold areas. The time to winterize your plants is in late fall. When winterizing perennials, keep in mind that the root system is the most vulnerable to cold damage. Mulch heavily by

mounding a 6-8 inch layer of shredded bark,

compost, leaves, straw or other organic material

around the base of each plant.

In cold areas, containerized plants can be brought into an unheated, protected area such as a garage

or cellar before temperatures drop below freezing. Check soil moisture every 2-3 weeks and water as

needed during winter.

In spring, remove mulch from in-ground plantings.

Containerized plants should be moved back out

into the garden sunlight where they will begin to

repeat their yearly garden performance.

CONTINUING CARE (Continued)

Remove dead, damaged or unsightly growth as

needed to maintain an attractive appearance. Keep

the center of the shrub open by thinning inner

branches if they become overlapped. Rose of

Sharon naturally sheds its spent flowers and needs no deadheading.

PRUNING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WEEDING

Apply a 2-4 inch layer of shredded bark, compost,

leaves, straw or other organic matter around your

plants to promote moisture retention, maintain even soil temperatures and discourage weed growth.

Replenish the mulch as needed.

Adequate and consistent watering is essential during your plant's first year in the garden. Infrequent, long soakings of water that thoroughly saturate the soil are more effective than frequent, light applications of water.

Due to variable geographical and environmental

conditions, a specific watering schedule is difficult to define. However, as a rule of thumb, you should not allow the soil or the original root ball to completely dry out. During the first summer, you may need to

water as often as every few days in periods of

drought and extreme summer heat. To determine if

your plant needs water, dig a few inches into the soil next to the plant. If the soil is dry 2-3 inches below the surface, it is time to water.

Over-watering can be as damaging as under-watering. Be sure that the area surrounding your plant has

adequate drainage to move water away from the

plant. If you choose to plant in a container, always select one with drainage holes to prevent your

plant's roots from sitting in water.

WATERING

Your plant has been shipped to you in a pot. Please remove the plant from the packaging right away and plant it as soon as possible following the planting instructions below. If it is not possible to plant right away, follow these important steps:

1. Roll the plastic down around the plant and place it in a sunny location.

2. Keep the plant well watered.

Note: Some leaves may appear wilted or yellow upon arrival. This is due to the stress of shipping and is nothing to worry about. Water the plant and let it recover in a shady location for a few days, then gently remove any foliage that does not recover to allow for new growth.

ROSE OF SHARON

SKU# M72138

SHIPPED IN A 6-INCH POT.

PLANT SIZE MAY VARY BASED ON GROWING CONDITIONS.

Important: Thoroughly hydrate the plant by submersing the root zone in a container of water for 10 minutes while you prepare for planting.

1. Remove and discard the clear plastic bag from around the pot.

2. After watering, remove the pot by holding the plant upside down in one hand and squeezing the sides of the pot with the other.

3. Prepare the root ball for planting by gently disturbing the surface roots with your fingers, fork or gardening tool and pruning any damaged roots. This will encourage the roots to begin growing outward into the new soil.

4. Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the plant's root ball. Partially backfill the hole with soil and place the plant into the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground surrounding the hole. Refill the hole with soil, firming the soil around the plant with your fingers. Check to be sure the plant is not planted too deeply. If it is, raise the plant carefully and re-firm the soil.

5. Water thoroughly.

What are some good uses for Rose of Sharon shrubs? Rose of Sharon shrubs make excellent flowering hedges. They also look great in the back of the border, mixed beds and even large containers.

It’s spring and my other plants are growing, but my Rose of Sharon shrub has no leaves. Is it dead?

Rose of Sharon is one of the last plants to break dormancy each spring. To determine if your plant is alive, gently scratch the bark toward the base of the plant. If the wood is green beneath the first layer of bark, the plant is alive and will break dormancy as spring temperatures rise. OUT OF THE BOX

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