| I went to Bob's Garden Center in Mays Landing, New Jersey. They carry several varieties of Monrovia Rose of Sharon. The clerk said the Rose of Sharon would reach a height of 10-12 feet (Minerva, Diana,). However, on the Monrovia website the height is listed as 5-8 feet. What is the correct height? I would prefer to have a Rose of Sharon with a height of 10-12 feet. I'm interested in the lavendar chiffon. Do you have any suggestion? I also saw a tree version with the foliage in a ball shape at the top of a trunk.(Minerva) The clerk said this would grow to the height of 10-12 feet. Is this correct? Also, must it be pruned yearly to maintain the ball shape? Thank you in advance for your help. Liz |
| Minerva and Diana are both described as reaching to about ten feet tall, while the Lavender Chiffon is naturally a smaller plant overall. (Different cultivars will mature to different sizes.) Keep in mind that the size range is an approximation since actual growth will depend somewhat on the climate and the site where it is planted. You can keep a Rose of Sharon smaller than the stated size range by annual pruning. In general if pruned very hard (close to the ground) in late winter every year it will stay smaller and will have a shrubby or bushy look. If left to grow to its mature size without much if any pruning, it will take on more of a tree form with one or more trunks. You can also prune it midway if desired. A ball shape would also require annual shaping. It blooms on new growth of the season so annual pruning done in late winter or very early spring does not interfere with flowering. I hope this helps. |
