I have done it both ways with Rose of Sharon succesfully. The most important thing in either case is keeping them well watered through the summer.

But are you sure they are suckers? Rose of Sharon seed prolifically. Could it be they are seedlings? What I had were seedlings. Suckers will have an underground stem attached to the mother plant. Crepe Myrtles, lilacs, mock orange, spirea and some roses put them out, but I don't remember Rose of Sharon doing it. Suckers can be a little trickier to move than seedlings because they are still dependant on the mother plant until they get a good root system of their own established. Seedlings are independant from the start.

I'm not sure it would make any difference to whether you pot or plant in the ground though. The crucial thing is still going to be water and perhaps afternoon shade during the heat of the summer.

Believe you are right, probably they are seedlings. So another quick question? They are straight up and down, no branching as yet...will they eventually branch a little or will I have to encourage them to branch by pinching out the tops? Thanks for answering, I appreciate your time. Jill

They will eventually branch. If you pinch the tops they will branch low. I would leave them alone, give them a couple years to grow and then see if they need a bit of pruning.

Jill, I transplanted the rose of sharon a friend of mine had potted for me. Kept it watered well all summer long, and it is nice and green, and taller.

It had a few branches, and it is branched out even better now. here is a picture of it.

Moni

Love these shrubs and have missed them while we lived away from Oklahoma. Mine are considerably smaller but your pic gives me hope! Thanks! Jill