Why Your Rose of Sharon Isn’t Flowering and How to Fix It

The rose of sharon is a popular flowering shrub known for its beautiful blooms that appear from early summer through fall. However, it’s common for this plant to produce lots of buds that fail to open into flowers If your rose of sharon isn’t flowering, don’t panic There are several easy fixes to get your plant flowering abundantly again.

Common Causes of Rose of Sharon Not Flowering

Here are the most frequent reasons a rose of sharon won’t flower

• Excessive shade – Rose of sharon needs full sun to flower properly. Too much shade causes poor flowering.

• Overwatering – Excess moisture leads to rotting of buds and prevents them from opening. Overhead watering is especially problematic.

• Underwatering – Insufficient water during summer drought stresses the plant, damaging buds.

• Phosphorus deficiency – Lack of this key nutrient inhibits the plant’s ability to utilize other nutrients, preventing bud development.

• Pruning at the wrong time – Pruning off new growth too early in spring removes flower buds.

• Pests – Aphids and other sucking insects damage buds causing them to wither.

• Diseases – Fungal infections promoted by poor air circulation or overhead watering can rot buds.

Solutions to Get Your Rose of Sharon Blooming Again

Fortunately, correcting these issues is usually quite simple:

• For shade problems, transplant the shrub to a sunnier location, or trim back encroaching trees and shrubs to allow more light to reach the plant. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.

• To prevent overwatering, always water at soil level and avoid getting water on the leaves and buds. Improve drainage if soil stays soggy.

• During summer, provide deep watering (about 1-1.5 inches per week) during dry spells to prevent drought stress. Check soil moisture before watering.

• Apply a phosphorus fertilizer or bone meal if buds are shrinking or flowers declining, indicating a phosphorus deficiency. Feed every 2-3 weeks.

• Prune rose of sharon in late fall or very early spring, before buds form, never mid-season. This allows new flowering wood to grow.

• Control aphids with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Improve air flow to combat fungal disease. Remove and destroy infected buds to prevent spread.

Be Patient for Results

Keep in mind that any remedies applied now may not result in flowers this season, since buds for the current year are already set. But correcting these issues will help ensure your rose of sharon is primed for a magnificent display next year. A little patience and TLC now will be rewarded with abundant flowers in the future!