Question
  I live in central Illinois and have a 2 year old white Rose of Sharon bush.  It is not growing upright as my other red ones are--it has branches that seem to be spreading out instead of up.  Will trimming help and how do I go about it without killing it?

Answer
Twylla,

Before I would recommend pruning, I would recommend trying to train it to grow upwards by tying the limbs up the way you want them to grow. If you wish to prune it however, there is no wrong time to prune. Rose of sharon flowers on new growth, so there is no danger of removing the flower buds.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen