I have three Rose of Sharon trees along my driveway. The middle one has been kind of puny for a couple of years, but the bookends have been fine. This morning, I noticed the foliage and blooms on one at the end of the driveway street-side are dried and shriveled. We had more than a foot of rain in May. Don't know if it could be that something poisonous washed over the tree? All the other plants around it seem fine. Any ideas on what could cause this problem?

Dried up one


Healthiest one // All three

The most common cause for leaf drop on rose of sharon trees seems to be overwatering in heavy soils. I hope it bounces back for you, the soil may just have to dry out a little after all that rain you all got in TX. Hope this helps.

Is there also a slight slope towards that end of the driveway? This might have given that tree more water than the others, as well.

Is the soil heavy? Clay or a clay mix could be lightened up with a couple of bags of compost dug in around that tree in the winter time.

You might want to dig a test hole with a digging fork or something, out there at the very end of the bed and see if it's still soggy there. If so, you may need to try to help the tree before its roots rot from lack of air in the soil. Just aerating with a digging fork might help let the air get down to the roots.

Yes, there is a slight slope, which caused more water to flow/collect around this one than the others, and the soil is heavy clay. Okay, so keep an eye on it and hope it didn't drown.

Thank you both.

Well . . . going out on a limb here but I think the dead foliage is telling you that it did drown.

I would get out there with a fork and see if you can aerate the soil under that plant without destroying any more roots.

But it may be too late.

I lost a huge RoS several years ago. It was sudden and looked like yours. I sent soil and the roots to our extension agent and found out it hd cotton rot
Here is a little info, I hope it isn't

Cotton Root Rot

Cotton root rot is prevalent in alkaline soils like those found in Texas. In some areas the disease is called Texas root rot. Leaves and branches will wilt and die but remain attached to the plant. The disease is diagnosed by examining the roots of the affected plant at a 10X magnification to identify light brown strands or webs. The fungus invades the soil and the bush should be transplanted to a container using sterilized potting soil. Soil treatment must be done by a licensed applicator at one- to two-year intervals. Only plant specimens that are resistant to cotton root rot in affected soil.


Read more: Rose of Sharon Disease | Garden Guides

Thank you, Jolana, I appreciate the information.

You're welcome, I'm so sorry that you pretty RoS is ill

I am two houses away from a busy thoroughfare and the three trees help provide a sound buffer. If this one has to be taken out, I will need to find a fast growing replacement for it that will blend in with the other plantings.

What size, are you needing more of a large shrub to block noise/ Are a big tree

This tree is almost 10 foot in height, want to keep my choices around there. The photograph is from last year, you can see all the underplantings. Crape Myrtle is out. I love the things, but, man, do they ever sucker!!! Have a section on the west side that I have been trying to eradicate for nine years. Open to ideas. Because of all the close up plants, especially that Clematis, I have been wondering if it might not be best to leave the tree and use it as a Clematis or climbing rose support now.

Ooh, that would be nice too. Decades ago we moved into a house that had holly all around the house and everywhere else they could stick one. By the time I dug up 70+ I was just plain tired of dealing with them and planted vines around them and they did real well. So I believe your idea is a great one
If you still want a tree, how about a Vitex, they bloom late spring till fall, here, you are a tad different some years

I love Vitex much more than I do Crape Myrtles. They are in full bloom here, now, too, and that lilac color is stunning. But I think they may get too wide for the space.

Mexican plum is small, white flowers and red, orange and yellow fall color
Desert Willow, Eve's necklace. These are the smallest I can think of for your area and I'm going by what my BF has in her yard in that area

My prettiest one, I allowed to grow like a shrub

Mexican Plum is a pretty one. I had been considering a dwarf fruit tree like peach for a couple of years, but didn't really have anywhere to plant one. Hmm...bears pondering...thank you.

I don't know if Red Baron peach is hardy in your area but they are smaller and have a great almost red bloom
and the best peach I have ever tasted
Good luck

lovemyhouse I have pink vitex if you want some cuttings, they root very easily from cuttings. I also have blue and purple but my blue isn't a true blue just a lighter purple. I'm looking for white vitex to add to my collection if you know anyone with one please point me in there direction.

Daniel, think I am going to wait on any action, but thank you very much for the offer, I appreciate it. If I find someone with the white vitex, I will send them your way.

I have a similar problem with my Rose of Sharon tree. We had a hot dry summer. It bloomed as usual, but I noticed the old flower buds did not fall off for the winter. I was wondering if this will cause problems or even kill the tree. Please tell me it won't I love that tree & when it is in bloom it is beautiful.



This is how it looked this summer, even with the heat & drought