Knowledgebase
Late leafing Rose of Sharon #753123
Asked May 31, 2021, 6:46 PM EDT
In our HOA neighborhood many Rose of Sharon/Althea shrubs leafed out very late last year. It is not almost June and most are barely or not at all leafed out again. They are green underneath. Is there any action we should take or just wait? Should we cut back substantially to get these plants on solid ground again?
Thanks
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for your question.
We are seeing many shrubs leaf out late this year due to the weather conditions in 2020 and thus far in 2021. A lot of shrubs have good growth at the bottom of the plant and then spaces with no leaves until new growth at the top of the branches. You can prune down to just above the bottom growth to encourage more branching out from the lower part of the shrub.
Be sure to give your shrubs adequate water throughout the summer. Water during dry times, with little precipitation and drying winds during the fall and winter.
Here is some information on pruning:
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/616.pdf
Fall and winter watering:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
