Overwintering guide
How to overwinter rose of sharon
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills rose of sharon in winter
Cutting rose of sharon hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More rose of sharon care
Overwintering rose of sharon — FAQ
Does rose of sharon need to come indoors for winter?
Rose of Sharon is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Rose of Sharon is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move rose of sharon for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water rose of sharon in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills rose of sharon over winter?
Cutting rose of sharon hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.