I have 2 Rock roses that I have really enjoyed but I have no idea what to do with them. The branches get very loooong and now just hang down on the ground. Do I prune them?
How well do these seeds germinate? I'm trying to collect them but there are so many! Am I going to have a yard full of these next year?
Rock rose care
Hi Paige,
Just blipping in before I get off work. I read that Pavonia/Rock Rose is actually about a three-year perennial. By the time the mother plant dies, there are one or two to take it's place. I've had mine for about five years now, so go figure. I don't find them invasive at all, but as much seed as they put out they will give you a few nice starts that you can easily pot up to give away or spread around the yard.
The article I read (in Texas Gardener) also said it is a "shrubby" perennial, in that the branches turn wood-like. I do prune mine sometimes, but it actually does pretty well without our intervention. Is yours getting good sun? It can get a little leggy if it has too much shade.
Hope that helps.
Mary
I've had some success with rock rose cuttings as well....I've started about 4 new plants that way with a good rooting hormone. But I know what you mean, mine has full sun all day...but with the recent rains, it has decided that it would much rather lay on the ground then stand upright..lol
Melanie
mine has always layed around!
I prune them back to keep them from getting too leggy. It seems to help.
Thanks y'all! I'm glad that I'll get a few new plants but not the hundreds I've invisioned! Mine is in the only place in the yard that does get some shade. It's actually in what used to be in my "transition bed" that I used for cuttings or new small plants that didn't have a place. That's how this plant started, as a tiny seedling. Then it got overtaken by my Datura.
Does anyone know if I could transplant it? how it might handle it?
They really respond to a good shearing by half around here.
I dug up quite a few recently and potted most of them up. They survive very well as long as you get enough roots. The ones I moved are now in afternoon sun, so I watered well and they did fine. The potted ones I put in a shaded area until they recovered and watered well. Some are now flowering again.
Linda, were they large plants or babies? Mine is pretty big, although I haven't dug down to actually see what kind of stalk/trunk it has. I might try cutting it back then moving it a little later. I have enjoyed it since it blooms constantly without any maintenance.
Various sizes, from seedling size to several feet tall. The largest two I did cut back, forgot to say that.
I found 5 or 6 seedlings today, but not where the mama is. I must have been gathering seeds in my hand one day and dropped some because they were all together. I guess I'll take them to our swap tomorrow.
When is the best time to prune rock rose? Mine is still blooming profusely...but again, I've had to stake it to keep it off of my bat face.....
Melanie