I've got a chaotic mix of small trees and shrubs in a corner of my yard. An app tells me I've got mulberry trees there along with some Rose of Sharon shrubs. I'm trying to figure out which ones to keep or if I should just start fresh with something else altogether. The taller mulberry is blocking the view of a power pole, while the rose of sharon is just a tangled mess. I'm open to planting something completely different if it could help tidy up the spot. Plus, I have some tall trees nearby providing shade for about half the day. Is there a plant that grows around 15 feet tall and is broad enough to fill out the corner while also providing some pretty flowers?
2 Answers
I had a beautiful Rose of Sharon that I cut down two years ago, but I'm still fighting with all the seedlings popping up in my lawn! Just a heads-up, it can be quite persistent. If you're thinking of getting rid of it, covering the area with plastic for a season might do the trick to kill it off completely!
Mulberry fruit can be a real hassle, especially with birds dropping it everywhere! But I find Rose of Sharon spreads like crazy. I actually use it to create a natural screen at the back of my yard. You might want to cut back the Rose of Sharon to shape it better, and maybe trim the lower branches of the mulberry to keep the power pole hidden while still having the upper part block it. If you keep the Rose of Sharon, just mow around the base to stop any unwanted sprouts from popping up!
Thanks for the tips! I appreciate the advice on keeping the wildlife benefits of the mulberry. It’s good to know I can manage the Rose of Sharon without completely wiping it out!
That sounds like a smart plan! I'm definitely considering the plastic method to get things under control.