How to Plant a Rose of Sharon Hedge

Overview

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a hardy hibiscus that is often grown into a hedge in many different climate zones. As far north as USDA climate zone 5 (Iowa and southern Illinois), gardeners value this plant for its pretty summer flowers and attractive foliage that you can prune to whatever shape you want.

Step 1

Determine a sunny location for your Rose of Sharon hibiscus plants and then measure the length of the planting area. This plant needs 4 feet between plants, so plan accordingly before visiting the nursery. For example, if you want a 20-foot hedge, purchase five plants.

Step 2

Measure 4 feet between planting holes and then mark their locations with anything handy, like a trowel or bucket.

Step 3

Dig holes in the places you marked. Make sure the holes are larger than your plants' rootballs and add in one large shovelful of organic compost, one cup of Perlite or vermiculite and one shovelful of peat moss into each hole. Thoroughly mix these ingredients into the soil.

Step 4

Plant your Rose of Sharon plants into the holes you prepared and then backfill with the soil you dug out. Pat the soil down firmly around each plant and water them well.

Step 5

Trim your Rose of Sharon plants into the hedge configuration you want when they begin to send out rapid new growth at the beginning of spring.