Expert: C.L. Fornari - 8/13/2007

Question
I have 12 Rose of Sharon bushes planted that are going into their 3rd year. They are loaded with blooms ,and are spaced 3.5' apart, 4' high. 7 of them are drooping badly, but are still green and loaded. How do I get them to stay upright, and should I stake them or what? They have great flowers and are healthy otherwise. Please someone help

Answer
Russell,
By drooping I'm assuming you men that the branches are bending toward the ground - yes?  If so, know that they will toughen up as they get older, and you can help by pruning them next spring.  Next year in March or April, before they break dormancy in your area, clip the stems back by 1/3 to 1/2 - clip the upright stems less and the drooping ones more.  I know you'd like to get them tall, but by clipping them now, and the same way as long as you can reach them, the plant will become more bushy and you'll be clipping the most curved ones back so that they don't droop permanently.

Staking isn't a good idea unless the entire plant is tilted in one direction - if that's the case, stake with a rope that pulls it upright for ONE YEAR only.  Plants get tougher and stronger stemmed in response to the stress of wind etc, so if the plants are supported they won't develop the same strength in the long run.

I hope this helps!
C.L.