Aphrodite Rose of Sharon Althea Shrub for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on October 7, 2022

Planting instructions

Site your Aphrodite where it will receive at least 4 hours of direct sun in soil that drains well. Unpot the shrub and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root zone and twice as wide. Place the shrub in the hole, spreading out the roots. Holding the shrub upright and steady, fill in around the roots with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch such as bark chips around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth, but keep it from touching the trunk to avoid problems with rot.

Watering and nutrients

Your Aphrodite Rose of Sharon needs about an inch of water each week. If you have a week without rain, it will appreciate some supplemental watering. During very hot or dry weather, you might need to water more frequently. Fertilize your shrub with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer that is designed for landscape trees and shrubs. A 10-10-10 formula works well.

Pollination

Although the Aphrodite Rose of Sharon may attract hummingbirds and other pollinators with its vibrant flowers, it is a sterile cultivar, meaning that it does not set seed when the flowers are pollinated.

Pruning

Prune your shrub annually after it flowers or in late winter to promote new growth and shape it. Prune out dead, diseased, or damaged limbs whenever you see them.

Pests, diseases and animals

Rose of Sharon bushes are attractive to Japanese beetles, which can eat the leaves. There are traps available that can be used to deter them, however. Other common pests include nematodes and aphids. A healthy tree will be better able to resist infestation. Leaf spot and leaf rust are common diseases of the Rose of Sharon. Keep the area around your bush free of leaf debris, and trim out any branches that show signs of spots or lesions. Spraying with a copper fungicide in spring will also be helpful.

Achieving maximum results

One way to achieve maximum results with an Aphrodite shrub is to consider planting it in a large container, where it can serve as a patio plant or perhaps live as part of a matched set outside a formal front entrance. Gardeners who live in the far Northern regions of the U.S. may choose to grow it in a container and bring it into a garage or basement in the winter when the temperatures dip below -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Container growing is not difficult. Choose a pot for your shrub that is about twice the size of the root ball, with good drainage in the bottom. Use a good-quality potting mix, and plant your shrub as per our directions above. Keep in mind that container-grown plants may need more watering than those grown in the ground, so keep an eye on your Aphrodite and water it whenever the soil 2 inches below the surface is dry.

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