Rose of Sharon are loved for their long and plentiful bloom season. They are in the same family as hibiscus, hollyhock, and mallow. They can often bloom for months in summer given optimal conditions. What should you do if your plant isn’t blooming, the buds aren’t opening, or the leaves are falling off? Maybe the spot isn’t getting enough light, or there are too many plants in the area. There can be several reasons why a rose of Sharon may stop or slow its bloom. Let’s examine them.
The rose of sharon is a popular flowering shrub known for its long bloom time and showy flowers. However, sometimes these plants fail to produce their signature blossoms, leaving gardeners confused and disappointed. Don’t lose hope! In most cases, a rose of sharon’s lack of flowers can be corrected with a few simple fixes.
Common Causes of No Flowers
There are several key reasons why your rose of sharon may not be flowering
Insufficient Sunlight
Roses of sharon need full sun to thrive and flower profusely. This means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If your plant is blocked by trees buildings or other obstructions it won’t get enough light to support flowering.
Improper Watering
Too much or too little water can cause problems. Overwatering leads to root rot while underwatering results in drought stress. Both will inhibit flowering. Roses of sharon need about 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Make sure the soil drains well.
Nutrient Deficiencies
A lack of phosphorus can prevent blooming. Roses of sharon don’t need much fertilizer, but giving them a balanced organic fertilizer with higher phosphorus in early spring can encourage flowers.
Poor Pruning Practices
Roses of sharon bloom on new wood. Neglecting to prune older branches means less new growth and fewer flowers. However, pruning at the wrong time – after flower buds emerge – will remove the buds.
Pest or Disease Damage
Aphids, leaf spots, powdery mildew and other issues can weaken plants and ruin flower buds. Inspect leaves and buds for signs of insects or disease. Treat problems early before extensive damage occurs.
Age/Decline
Over time, older plants begin to decline and produce fewer flowers. After 8-10 years, blooming may decrease dramatically. Consider replacing old, non-flowering plants with younger ones.
Solutions to Get Your Rose of Sharon Blooming Again
If your rose of sharon fails to bloom, try these tips to coax those flowers out next year:
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Move to a sunnier spot. Choose a location with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun, preferably full sun. South or west-facing sites work best.
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Improve drainage. Make sure water doesn’t pool around the roots. Add organic material like compost to help sandy soils retain moisture.
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Water thoroughly. Give plants 1-1.5 inches of water per week if rain is lacking. Water at the base, not from overhead.
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Add phosphorus fertilizer. Apply an organic, balanced fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content in early spring. This nourishes buds.
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Prune annually. In late winter, remove older branches to stimulate new, flowering wood. Never prune after buds emerge.
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Scout for pests. Check for aphids, leaf spots and other issues. Take action before they escalate. Remove diseased wood and dying buds.
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Consider replacing older plants. After 8-10 years, it’s normal for roses of sharon to decline. Install younger plants for renewed flowering vigor.
When to Expect Flowers on Rose of Sharon
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Flower buds form on new wood early in the growing season.
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Blooming typically starts in early to mid summer. Peak flowering is usually July-August.
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Individual flowers only last a day, but plants bloom for weeks or even months.
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Flowering slows as temperatures cool in fall. A hard frost ends the bloom season.
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In warmer climates (zones 8-9), roses of sharon may bloom off and on year round.
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Don’t expect much flowering the first year after planting. Established plants put on the best floral displays.
Unique Traits of the Rose of Sharon
Beyond just their flowers, roses of sharon have other notable characteristics:
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They grow quickly, adding 1-2 feet or more per year when young. Mature size is typically 8-12 feet tall and wide.
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The foliage is unremarkable – simple green leaves similar to a maple. The flowers are the real showcase.
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Hundreds of cultivars exist with flowers in white, pink, purple, red, and bicolor shades. Bloom forms include single, double, and semi-double.
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Rose of sharon is technically a type of hibiscus, but with more cold hardiness. It survives down to zone 5.
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The fruits are seed pods that persist into winter. Many types reseed readily, to the point of becoming invasive.
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It’s versatile and tolerates pollution, salt, drought, and poor soils. An easy, low maintenance plant when sited properly.
In Summary
When those vibrant rose of sharon blossoms fail to appear, it’s always disappointing. But in most cases, the problem can be corrected with a few simple cultural tweaks and care. Evaluate sunlight, watering, nutrients, pruning, pests, and age-related decline. Choose proven solutions like moving the plant, pruning properly, and boosting phosphorus. With a little TLC, you can get your rose of sharon flowering freely again next season.
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Rose of Sharon are loved for their long and plentiful bloom season. They are in the same family as hibiscus, hollyhock, and mallow. They can often bloom for months in summer given optimal conditions. What should you do if your plant isn’t blooming, the buds aren’t opening, or the leaves are falling off? Maybe the spot isn’t getting enough light, or there are too many plants in the area. There can be several reasons why a rose of Sharon may stop or slow its bloom. Let’s examine them.
Common Reasons Why Rose of Sharon Isn’t Blooming
The simplest reason for fewer flowers may be it’s not getting enough sun. Roses of Sharon bloom best with full sun, defined at six or more hours of direct sun. This is usually found in open southern or western exposures.
Rose of Sharon shrubs can lose their flower buds because they are stressed from too much or too little water. This means you won’t have a summer show. While drought-tolerant once established, these plants like consistent moisture with excellent drainage.
Pruning too late in the season can be another cause. If you prune after flower buds form in the spring, you can delay or remove your flowers.
While fairly deer-resistant, roses of Sharon can be chomped if your local deer are ravenous. If so, cut back the branches that are hurt and hope that new flower buds open in time for the season.
Why Aren’t My Rose of Sharon Buds Blooming?
Why is my Rose of Sharon not blooming?
Rose of sharon is a beautiful shrub that gives you pink, white, or purple flowers in abundance, after other plants have finished blooming, except for those years when something goes wrong. There are several reasons you may either see no buds forming or your buds fail to open and simply fall off prematurely: Excessive shade and too little sun.
Is Rose of Sharon a bad plant?
Rose of Sharon, or althea shrubs as they are commonly called, are usually low maintenance, reliable bloomers in zones 5 through 8. However, like any other landscape plants, rose of Sharon can experience problems with specific pests or diseases. In this article, we will discuss common althea plant issues.
When does Rose of Sharon Bloom?
The blooms of Rose of Sharon, also known as shrub althea, are most welcome since they come during the latter half of the summer and into fall when most flowering shrubs have finished flowering. In most regions where rose of Sharon thrives, the flowers are best in July and August.
What do Rose of Sharon flowers smell like?
Rose of Sharon blooms have a light, floral smell, and its five-petaled blooms are a tropical, hibiscus flower with papery leaves. Single flowers have a single bloom, while the double flowers have a frilly or flat second bloom.