Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Plant Species >> Shrubs

Planting Rose of Sharon Near Shallow Buried Utility Line

Utah (zone 6) gardener has buried line at 20″ depth, wants Rose of Sharon nearby in shady spot against house. Needs 12-ft flowering shrub, fragrant preferred.

Expert Warning

Any 12-ft shrub will have roots >20″ deep AND spreading.
Risk to line (likely electric) is real.
Plant at least 3 ft away from line.

Alternative

Consider smaller shrubs or perennials for that spot. Rose of Sharon is too large for a 20″ buffer.

Shrubs: Unknown Bush Similar to Rose of Sharon – Genetic Variation; Why Isn't My Rose of Sharon Blooming? Troubleshooting a 4-Year-Old Shrub; Rose of Sharon Winter Care: Not a True Rose, But Still Needs Protection; Transplanting Mature Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus); When to Prune Rose of Sharon: Fall vs. Late Winter; Rose of Sharon Cut to Ground: Wait and See If It Resprouts; Transplanting a Mature Rose of Sharon: Timing and Technique; Diagnosing Partial Leaf-Out in Mature Rose of Sharon Shrubs; Rose of Sharon Late-Season Yellowing: Fertilizer Response; Rose of Sharon: Hardy, Hummingbird-Friendly Shrub

Garden Articles

Rose of Sharon Hedge Dying: Cotton Root Rot

Rose of Sharon Transplant Shock: Silvery Leaves After Moving Outdoors

Killing Rose of Sharon Roots Safely: Round-Up Method

Training Spreading Rose of Sharon: Tying Before Pruning

Is a Dormant Rose of Sharon Dead After Late Freezes?

Pruning Rose of Sharon for Tree Form: Limb Up the Trunk

Rose of Sharon Renovation Pruning for Bushy Form

Plants

Rose of Sharon Bloom Failure: Thrips and Wet Soil Investigation

Rose of Sharon Bud Drop: Water, Fertilizer, or Pests?

Propagating Rose of Sharon and Viburnum: Seeds, Cuttings, and Pest Diagnosis

Finding True Red Rose of Sharon Seeds

Eradicating Rose of Sharon Seedlings and Root Suckers

Rose of Sharon Pruning and Aphid Control Guide

Propagating Rose of Sharon from Cuttings