Something has happened to the wildly reseeding Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) bushes of my youth. This old garden favorite, also referred to as “privy bush”(at least in my family) for a common location for the woody, tough, and long-lived shrub, has experienced a comeback of sorts – and I am empty-handed. When I moved this spring, I didn’t even think to check for seedlings around the two bushes in my yard – the late snowfalls we experienced made transplanting rushed and a priority was placed on other shrubs and perennials. I figured I would just dig some up around the Rose of Sharon bushes at home, the farm where I grew up. But…there were NONE!
The Rose of Sharon that graced me with many of its progeny in the past.
Once my bushes were a few years old, they self-seeded like mad, and I was kept busy pulling up the little sticks of baby Rose of Sharons. But they tended to be in areas where grass didn’t grow so well – because I found, like many folks – that this shrub will thrive in just about any situation. The parent of my shrubs is located in a sunny, grassy area, where the mowing is aggressive and professional – if there are any babies, they don’t get a chance to grow.
Rose of Sharon on an abandoned farmstead.
I was devastated. So when I spied a gorgeous Rose of Sharon by the side of the road the other day, next to a sad, vacant little farmhouse, I immediately pulled over. Pulling aside the grass and weeds, I searched for any spindly volunteers, only to be disappointed. I cut a limb and brought it home, to paint with rooting hormone and see what would happen…but I don’t hold a lot of hope for this option.
This one-seat privy would look so much better surrounded by some bright Rose of Sharon bushes!
As far as their comeback – I may not have known anything about improved new varieties, such as Adrian Higgins writes about, but I’ve seen them plenty in the garden centers of big box stores. So yes – I could buy one…but where is the joy, mystery, and story in that? Plus, if it is a new version of the shrub, then it is likely sterile – which means no seedlings for me to spread about or share.
If anyone has an old Rose of Sharon with seedlings they would like to have thinned out (or removed for this season) – I have a shovel and am happy to take those seedlings off your hands!
I have tons and I could bring some to Lexington today or Wednesday.
You are in luck! Our Sharns have offspring all over Sangamon county. I’ll send sprouts from the black Illinois prairie. If Lincoln deviated 25 yards as he rode out of Springfield on his way to Jacksonville, he’d have ridden across our yard. The tap roots are 6-12″ long. I’ll send bare root plants with undamaged roots. When they arrive put them in a clear glass or jar in a north or east window for about a week. To plant, hold each in a deep, narrow container with drainage holes while you sprinkle in good quality potting soil. Lightly tamp down soil, maybe add more. *Drench* the soil. Put back on the window sill. Keep soil extremely wet for one week. Dig hole large enough to have the taproot straight. Remove the entire mass from the pot all at once, plant at it’s old level. Cover, water but do not soak.
Keep it a little moist according to your soil needs for about 3 days. When you hear it singing you’ve done your part. Treat it as you think you should for your conditions.
Why “Sharn”? In *The Grapes of Wrath* Steinbeck introduced a daughter named Rose of Sharon. The family called her Sharn. All our plants have names. This is an old fashioned, single flower; pink, like your first photo.
You have given me so much pleasure, I’m pleased to send my babies.
Oh goodness! Thank you so much!
My granny always planted Holly Hawks around the ‘privy’. Mother would laugh and say ‘”Good girls don’t go where the Holly Hawks grow”. Now that sounds ridiculous because even good girls go to the toilet. We had several Rose of Sharon around our house on the farm in Bath County. Like so many I sought new and different plantings. Now I too am searching for Rose of Sharon. My aunt, who is 91, has a seedling growing in the inside corner of her garage which I will claim this fall. Benny had the nerve to cut one completely down on a rental lot. Some people don’t know what is really important. Maybe it is all about good memories. Thanks for sharing.
I might have some to share with you as I have gotten many offers! Thank you for reading.
Get in touch with Cherie Collins. She has one with white blooms.
I picked up some white ones from a reader yesterday!