Once several shrub cuttings have been trimmed and their lower leaves removed, they can be surprisingly difficult to tell apart. Label the container before collecting rose of Sharon material.
Confirm the parent plant's identity and choose an appropriate propagation method and stage of growth. A cutting demonstration for one shrub does not establish the timing for every flowering plant.
Keep the preparation organised
Have clean tools, a suitable container and prepared rooting medium ready. Keep collected material from drying out while you decide what to do with it.
Locate the nodes and make the cutting required by your chosen method. Remove material that would be buried where the instructions call for it, rather than forcing a leafy stem deeply into the pot.
Record the date and any cover used to manage the rooting environment. Inspect for decaying leaves and unsuitable moisture without repeatedly pulling the stems to check for roots. Green leaves alone are not proof of a developed root system. Once rooted, the cuttings need an appropriate transition to their next container and growing conditions, rather than an abrupt move into an exposed position.
NC Extension identifies rose of Sharon as Hibiscus syriacus. For the general preparation steps, the RHS softwood-cutting guide recommends keeping collected material labelled and protecting it from moisture loss. Match the propagation method to the identified shrub.
Related reading: Rose of Sharon Cuttings: Timing, Rooting and Aftercare.