This shrub is twenty yrs old and has always done very well, last year the leaves were very small yet still bloomed. We added fertilizer stakes in April and the new growth looks pretty good but I'm afraid that they still look small in comparison to the other ones in the yard. I've noticed lady bugs on the branches, could I have some insect that I can't see? If so what to use to spray?
Lady bugs may be helped you out with Aphids.
Treat the plant with Neem Oil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Is it possible to put a garden surrounding them, adding 4-5 inches of compost on top of their roots?
My best advice would be not to do this technique. I would place the raised beds on either side of the plant.
I have several plants in a row. All planted at the same time. 4 are not leafing at all as of mid May?? The branches are not dry and drown indicating the plants are dead.
If the branches still bend but don't snap off, just give them a bit more time.
These articles will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rose-of-sharon/rose-of-sharon-bush.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rose-of-sharon/rose-of-sharon-problems.htm
Absolutely! Sometimes a transplanted rose of sharon will look sad for a bit, but don't give up, it should rebound nicely!
The shrubs are in their third season. This year two of 4 are not blooming or ha e very , very little bloom or leaves. The other two are fine the growing conditions are the same. Full sun in a burm.
Some varieties may be a little less tolerant of full sun, but this will not usually hurt the blooming process. It can be attributed to nutrient deficiencies, or moisture issues if water collects in the area. This article will help you start determining what could be the problem: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rose-of-sharon/rose-of-sharon-not-blooming.htm
The leaves on my Rose of Sharon are not growing they way they normally do. It also has green spots on the branches. Does it have a fungus? What can I do to save it?
The lichen, its self, is not a concern. This can, however, indicate that there is another fungal infection present and doing damage to the tree. I would recommend putting wettable sulfur and dolomitic lime around the soil and even a little further from the shrub. This will kill off anything in the soil. Doing this over the winter will give you the advantage as well. The new growth in the spring will be back to normal.
My Rose of Sharons in a row. Some are full of leaves, others look dead.
Rose of Sharon is hardy to zone 5 and you are in zone 5b, so you are cutting it close. You may have a couple varieties with a slightly different cold tolerance. Plus, Rose of Sharon shrubs are susceptible to winter injury. To tell if they are alive, pull back a branch and see if it is supple or brittle. If it snaps off the branch is dead. Also you can scratch off about 1/2 inch length of bark to reveal the layer below it. If it is brown, the branch is dead. If it is green, it is still alive. If it seems to be alive perhaps they don't get as much sun as the others and are lagging behind. You can try cutting the shrubs close to the ground to see if they will come back from the roots. If you don't see any new growth within a month, then replace them.
Here is more about their care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rose-of-sharon/rose-of-sharon-bush.htm