You can just snap the spent flower off. I try not to remove leaves from young plants-- they are needed for growth.

when ever I take a cutting from my epies I will do it where it won't show and the plant will always look good, cuttings can be taken most any time of the year, but as the other said wait until after it stops blooming then give it a month to rest up from all the work it did in giving you a great show of flowers. your cuttings should be at least 6/8 inches long, let the cut ends heal over for a week before planting Bear

I just rooted over 150 cuttings using the aquarium method. Including Hydrangeas and Crepe Myrtles. Just make sure you paint the aquarium white and put tape around the top edge which was the bottom before spraying. And also a couple strips across the top and spray that also, then remove tape and let paint dry. Mix some peat and perlite 50/50 mix is all that you need to to get it nice and moist. take your cuttings and dip in rooting compound and stick in mix then place aquarium over top of it. Just also make sure it doesn't dry out for you, look for moisture on the window you created by using the tape when you painted the aquarium.

Hi- I know it would seem logical to post that question in this forum, but Rose of Sharon is actually not a member of the rose family- it's a kind of hibiscus. If I recall correctly, that family roots fairly easily from cuttings. But you might want to try one of the other forums to find someone with more direct experience.