I have 6 or so in a hedge row shaded by ornamental cherry trees. The conditions are not optimal as the cherry trees make it shady and very dry. I prune the Diana's down to 4-5 early every spring to ensure my privacy as the other side of the hedge row is a sidewalk. The plants are not the most floriferous I have ever seen. I get a steady pour of flowers late summer and early fall. But never covered with flowers. I have very few seedlings and it isn't clear wether the seedlings are from Diana or migrating birds. With fuller sun you might get more flowers. I'd say that given the suboptimal site and treatment I have given the Diana's, the performace has been good.

me thinks you doth protest too much .. i dont see any problem with either ... sans a micrometer.. i see no difference in size... and the slightly different bloom period would .... in my world .. mean an extended show time .. rather than both ending at the same moment in time ... but it is obviously personal choice.. in fall .. when the other trees start turning colors ... the plant will basically be dormant above .. i would start by digging a new hole .... then i would cut them down to about 2.5 feet ... and get to digging.. starting out about 3.5 feet.. so i could end up with a 2 to 2.5 foot ball ... and than hook a chain to them.. and DRAG them to the new hole.. re-measuring first.. and resizing the hole if need be ... and drop it in there ... back fill .. no amendments .. no fert no nothing ... water PROPERLY ... mulch well .. and be responsible for all PROPER water next year ... IMHO.. they are nearly RUN OVER WITH THE TRUCK plants.. i wouldnt worry too much about it all .... [plz correct me if i am wrong, and althea is foo foo] ken ps: you leave the 2.5 height.. so you have something to rock it back and forth.. while you search for the big roots underneath .... pps: frankly.. i would go buy two new ones.. and put them where you want them.. and just kill these two.. i work smart.. not hard ... but on my 5 acres .. i would just let the stumps rot where they stand ... unlike yours being right out there ... and if you are going to have to dig them out.. may as well try to save them ... what do you have to lose?? .. a little exercise??? ppps: rejuvenation pruning would be in its future to get rid of the 2.5 foot branches.. in the next 5 years or so ...

the branches have bent to the ground??/ or the whole root ball shifted? branches can be pruned to a length that allows them to straighten up ... if its the root ball ... you will have to redig part of it... shift it properly into the hole.. and then prune it so it will stand up ... thereby avoiding a stake ... dig you fertilize it excessively .. causing it to grow above faster than it could support itself ... it doesnt matter ... good luck ken

JMC- Blue satin is the most beautiful true blue ROS flower I have ever seen. The foilage is darker green than Lavender Chiffon, looks tropical, and it grows a little faster also. It is a single, sterile flower. I loved it sooo much I also ordered a Violet satin and the flowers on that were incredible! Brandon, I bought both of them through a licensed nursery that always sells on Ebay. THey are a nursery though, and sell proven winners of soooo many plants. They were both healthy and I didn't pay over 9.99 for them. They grew quite nicely also. Do a search on Ebay under Rose of Sharon Blue satin and you will find them. They are propular. GOod Luck!