Wintering a Rose of Sharon Bush - Ask Extension
Hello, I've been trying to grow a rose of Sharon Bush in my Minneapolis garden for about three years with no success. Finally, I succeeded and have a...
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Wintering a Rose of Sharon Bush #363220
Asked September 16, 2016, 5:10 PM EDT
Hello, I've been trying to grow a rose of Sharon Bush in my Minneapolis garden for about three years with no success. Finally, I succeeded and have a beautiful bush about 1 1/2 feet tall with lovely blooms. (I got it from my mom's garden outside of Cleveland Ohio.) I suspect it's not a Minnesota plant, but want to try and get it through the winter. Fortunately, it's in an enclosed garden area. Any suggestions? Trim it or not? Cover it with something other than leaves? Thanks for your help!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
So far as we can tell, the plant you have described is rated hardy only to Zone 5. That means it might survive in a protected location in the Twin Cities area but the outcome in the long run will be uncertain.
So long as the bush is small, you might be able to protect it by surrounding it with wire and filling the entire enclosure with leaves. If you need to prune it, do that in early spring when you can tell what parts may have suffered winter damage.
So long as the bush is small, you might be able to protect it by surrounding it with wire and filling the entire enclosure with leaves. If you need to prune it, do that in early spring when you can tell what parts may have suffered winter damage.
