Does R o S really have to come inside for the winter in your climate?

I don’t quite understand about the watering. Do you use the globes for all watering? Even when you’re not away?

A picture of the flakes would help people id them. But since R o S is deciduous anything on the leaves will go when the leaves fall.

I have never contemplated bringing rose of sharon inside. They are hardy, deciduous shrubs. I only bring the tropicals inside for the winter. The RoS stay in the ground.

maybe it's not really a rose of sharon....?

That crossed my mind. A photo would settle it, if the OP ever comes back.

OP is probably growing ROS in a pot for lack of space (living in an apartment, etc). But pictures might give ideas so still needed.

Hopefully, the tiny flakes are "nor moving". ;o) Ha! At least then that would suggest they are a pest of some kind.