Oh, My GOODNESS!!!
Forgive me, but I just had to comment on your beautiful article on Rose of Sharon...because there are so very many who may not know an important fact that you've left out: "Once you plant Rose of Sharon" in your yard, it is going to run rampant!" Yes, it is covered- literally- with beautiful flowers ranging in size from 2-3 inches to almost as big as your face, depending on the variety. And they are lovely to behold.
However, each of those flowers, when it falls, leaves a pod. And in that pod is literally HUNDREDS of seeds for the Rose of Sharon shrub. The wind, birds, and insects carry those tiny, light seeds everywhere. And they are most prolific! I have had a terrible time getting those things out of a property that originally had only one bush, but because I wasn't there to keep it under control, it ran rampant. It must be dug out by the roots, like any other shrub that one wants to eradicate. I have also seen this happen far too many times to consider buying/planting this shrub ever again. It is as bad as forsythia and pampas grass for taking over an entire area. Even though forsythia spreads mainly by the branches rooting where they touch the ground, Rose of Sharon needs no such help. It only needs sun, water and wind...and you have an entire nursery of Rose of Sharon- whether you want it or not. And as for Pampas Grass? I have literally seen acres that it has claimed, not to mention that those cute little dried puffs they produce are a fire hazard, because the sun alone can ignite them. There are just some plants which have been taken from their original habitat which do not belong in "structured" gardens/landscaping. I honestly believe that a warning should be posted with each sale of these three plants: Rose of Sharon, Forsythia, and Pampas Grass. They are a gardener's foe in disguise.
So please, be aware, if you do love this beautiful shrub, it is like having rabbits: except that with this- you only need one. I honestly feel that this, and forsythia, should be put on the "not allowed" plant list, because people simply do not realize what is going to happen in a very short period of time. And the work and time it requires to get rid of them once they are established is unbelievable.
In no way have I meant to insult or offend you. Your post is beautiful. I just couldn't help warning those who may not know what they are in for if they choose to buy/plant Rose of Sharon, Forsythia or Pampas Grass.
Blessings;
Queen Dreama
