Both a blue and pink Rose of Sharon graced our back yard in Toronto, and while they looked lovely apart, when the Dogwood in the back left corner passed, I bet that they would look even lovelier if I could get their pastel blooms mingling together.That fall I cut back the Rose of Sharon by one third, knowing that by digging it up I owul d distrupt its root system and if would not be strong enough to nurture all of its foliage after the move. I let it grow in the same palace for one year before cutting it back again by onwe third the following fall before transplanting it.
The space left by the Rose of Sharon seen above was quickly filled in by transplanting some of the yellow Rudbeckias closer to the fence. I also pruned back the lower limbs of the Japanese Maple, letting more light to the understory and as a bonus it looks less cramped; if shrubs are the skeletons of the garden apparently I like mine 'bear bones'.
The Blue Rose of Sharon looked comfortable in its new home. I am concerned about the amount of light and pruned back the branches above it quite extensively, let's hope that was enough. I certainly don't know because we moved before I ever got to see the experiment flesh out. As long as the shrub is still alive I have no doubt that it is looking fabulous with its sister and by pruning back the top substantially and using a root stimulating fertilizer after transplant I hope I gave it enough advantages to carry on.
