Question
I have had rose of sharon shrubs along my fence line for many years.They have started dying one by one down the line.Last year 3 died,this year I've already lost 2 more.They bloom out and then start turning yellow and are gone,then the next one in line starts the same thing.I cant see any bugs on them.I hate to loose these beautiful bushes. What can I do?

Answer
Hi Yolanda,
Thanx for your question.  I think your Rose-of-Sharons have been succumbing to cotton root rot.  This is prevalant in  the Southwest, Texas and Mexico but has also shown up in other parts of the country particularly where soils are more alkaline.

Here's a link to Texas A&M University, regarding the disease.  At this time, there is no control for the disease.  You should dig up the roots and dispose of them by burning.  Do not plant any other Rose-of-Sharon near the diseased spots as this is a soil-borne disease.  Chances are, your whole yard may have been infected.

http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F1Column/2004Articles/AUG15.htm

I hope this helps.
Tom