Q.Prune an Old Rose of Sharon
I have an old rose of sharon. Every late fall I prune all the new growth off so it does not get huge. After I prune the new growth off, it stands about 7 ft tall. The so called knuckles left from pruning it are huge and some break off. I don’t want to ruin the bush. Would it be OK if I cut those so called knuckles off now this year and would the bush still grow for me this year from the heavy branches that are left?

Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Rose of sharon responds well to aggressive pruning. You can take those knuckles off and the plant will be fine and will fill in well from the branches that remain.