can you transplant rose of sharon in the spring

Transplanting Rose of Sharon in Spring – A Detailed Guide

Rose of Sharon is a popular summer-blooming shrub valued for its long season of color. Its resilience makes transplanting rose of sharon possible in both spring and fall. But is spring the optimal time to move this flowering woody plant? Let’s dig into the pros, cons, timing and techniques for transplanting rose of sharon in spring

What is Rose of Sharon?

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a deciduous shrub in the mallow family. It is valued for its compact size, late summer flowers, and adaptability.

Native to Asia rose of sharon grows 8-10 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Its vase-shaped form is clad with light green leaves and clusters of showy blooms.

Flowers emerge from midsummer into fall, later than most shrubs bloom. Blossoms come in white, pink, lavender, purple or blue. Some varieties have double flowers.

Hardy in zones 5-9, rose of sharon tolerates heat, drought, wind and poor soil once established. It thrives with full sun exposure. Pruning in late winter shapes and invigorates it.

When to Transplant Rose of Sharon

Rose of sharon can be transplanted in either spring or fall with success. Let’s compare the pros and cons of each season:

Spring

Pros:

• Soil is workable and moist, aiding digging and watering newly planted shrubs

• Less stressful for shrubs than summer heat and drought

• Gives shrubs the whole growing season to establish roots before next bloom period

Cons:

• Shrubs have already leafed out, so must be moved carefully to avoid excessive leaf loss

• Flower buds may be sacrificed when digging and moving the shrub

• Risk of drying out is higher with warmer, windy spring weather

• Requires more attentive watering through the first summer

Fall

Pros:

• Cool, moist fall conditions reduce transplant shock

• Shrubs are going dormant, so move is less stressful

• Entire root system can be dug more easily when plant is leafless

• Gives shrubs a dormant period to generate new roots before leafing out in spring

Cons:

• Heavy rains may complicate digging or increase root rot risk

• Frozen ground in late fall prevents transplanting in some regions

• Limits time for root growth before winter dormancy sets in

While fall transplanting is ideal, transplanting rose of sharon in spring can also be successful if done properly.

Tips for Transplanting Rose of Sharon in Spring

Follow these tips to carefully transplant rose of sharon in spring:

• Time it early, in early to mid spring before flower buds open. This reduces stress and sacrifice of blooms.

• Prune shrub back by 1/3rd before digging to reduce leaf transpiration and make it easier to handle.

• Water shrub deeply the day before to hydrate roots. Make sure soil is moist but not muddy.

• Dig wide around entire root ball, at least 1.5 times the shrub’s canopy width. Lift using the root ball, not the trunk.

• Place root ball on a tarp, wrap loosely, and move quickly to the new hole. Keep roots moist.

• Plant at the same level as before. Do not bury too deeply. Backfill with native soil.

• Water thoroughly after planting and mulch area with 2-3 inches of bark chips or other organic matter to retain moisture.

• Stake for support the first season if needed while new roots establish.

• Water regularly the first year, especially during dry periods. Gradually reduce frequency after establishment.

• Apply balanced fertilizer a month after transplanting to encourage root growth.

What About Spring Pruning?

Pruning rose of sharon is recommended in late winter or very early spring before new growth emerges. But what if you’re transplanting in full spring when buds have already swelled?

Light, selective pruning to reduce transplant shock and make handling easier is fine. But avoid heavy pruning of branches and buds. This will remove some of the current season’s flowering potential.

Instead, plan to do renewal pruning next late winter after it has fully settled into its new location. Then you can shape, thin and rejuvenate the shrub without sacrificing many blossoms.

Signs of a Successful Spring Transplant

Monitor your rose of sharon closely after a spring transplant. Check for these signs that it is recovering well:

• Limited leaf yellowing and drop after transplant

• Basal sprouts emerging and new growth starting within a few weeks

• Flower buds continuing to swell and open normally

• No serious wilting or shriveling between waterings

• Steady elongation of new shoots throughout the spring

• No notable reduction in overall vigor or flowering

Troubleshoot Issues with Spring Transplanted Roses of Sharon

Watch for these potential issues and take corrective action:

• Excessive leaf drop more than 2 weeks after planting indicates the shrub is struggling to establish. Improve watering, fertilize, and mulch.

• Failure to leaf out normally suggests root damage. Check for calf-tailing, browned roots, or rot and remediate as needed.

• Wilting or shriveling foliage means it is too dry. Increase watering frequency and volume.

• Few or no flowers likely resulted from overpruning. Don’t remove flower buds when transplanting in spring.

• Poor growth shows roots haven’t established fully. Fertilize to encourage root growth after transplant shock subsides.

While autumn is the optimal season for transplanting mature rose of sharon shrubs, taking the right steps makes spring transplanting a viable option as well. Pay close attention to irrigation, pruning and care the first year and your spring-moved shrub should flourish and flower in its new location.