I have been growing grapes in containers for a long time. And, there are even those who grow grapes as bonsai. Realize that grapes are rampant growers, and want to 'roam'. I usually include a trellis of some sort in or on the container to give the plants a place to go. Being so rampant, they will of course need to be pruned; but, learn to prune appropriately if you wish your vines to produce much fruit; there are specific ways to prune grapes to ensure optimum fruit production. To maintain them for long periods in the container, you'll also need to root prune periodically. I moved recently, and planted all of my containerized grapes in the ground. My motive is to speed up the growth of their trunks; at a later date, when the trunks are large, I will severely prune the vines, and transplant them back to containers as interesting specimens. Look near the bottom of this article; there is a section on container-growing grapes: Growing Grapes Also, you might Google "grape bonsai" to see some cool examples. Cheers

One stem, trunk, is good but several will work just as well. In your climate winter kill shouldn't be an issue so I'd probably go one trunk. Once the vine is on top the system you use is dependent on how much area needs coverage vs how much the canes grow each year. The simplest system is to prune like you would a normal vine. Head off your trunk in the middle of the arbor. Hopefully you then get at least 4 canes off the head. Position as needed for coverage. Those canes bear the next year. The following winter prune back as much as possible while still retaining 4 new canes for fruit the next year. The difference between normal and on top of arbor is how the canes are positioned. Normal they run down wires in two directions. On the arbor the canes are positioned so new growth covers area needed. They may pinwheel out from the head. You might have two heads depending on shape of arbor and area needing coverage. Once you get the feel for it pruning grapes is a lot easier than describing it.

I will answer the first question. Rose of sharon trees are made by grafting rose of sharon bush cuttings onto a tree root stock. The bush will have foliage from right near the ground but the tree will not have foliage for a foot or two up. The rest of your questions should be answered at the link below. Hope this helps! Mike Here is a link that might be useful: Hibiscus info

For me the best time to plant somethings is in the fall. It give the plant months to take root before spring. Make sure to mulch the plant good to protect it from the cold.