Question
Hi Can you help me out and tell me if it's ok to prune my Rose of Sharon back now before winter set's in. And also my Endless Summer Hydrangea is getting to tall, can I prune that back now since it froze a few times this fall? I live in southern part of Wisconsin.  Thank You  rick  PS All my old rose blossoms,can I cut them off to make the rose stronger for next year. All my rose of Sharon are several years old. And my Endless summer is two years old, and all my roses are yards. or more.  thank you

Answer
Rick,

Lets start with the Hydrangea. If you prune it back now, you will be pruning off the flower buds for next year. The proper time to prune thm back would have been after they finish flowering. I would recommend protecting them with burlap enclosures for the winter to give them some protection.

The roses can be cut back since they flower on new wood. I would recommend pruning them to the ground for best regrowth.

As for the Hibiscus, it too flowers on new wood, so you can prune it back now and not lose any flowers next year.

Good luck.
Ed Gullisken