There is truly something magical about white flowers, especially big, double, full-petaled ones. They glow in the early morning and in the twilight, and they have a special allure that draws us to them. White blossoms really stand out at the end of the day, when the full force of the sun has retreated. Why not be welcomed by wonderful white blooms when you arrive home from work, or when you step out into the garden for a moment to breathe in the cooler air? You can be – without adding garden work to your busy schedule – by growing the gorgeous Double White Hardy Hibiscus. This tough and reliable shrub is a true garden heirloom, bringing the grace of the 19th century to calm the busy pace of the 21st one.

Growing Double White Hardy Hibiscus

Size and Appearance

The Double White Hardy Hibiscus is a deciduous shrub with a dense, upright form, growing quickly to become 8 or 10 feet tall and about 5 feet wide. The strong stems keep it upright and neat, making an elegant specimen in any garden. The 3-inch leaves are slightly leathery, with a dark-green, glossy surface. In late fall they turn yellow. The leaves have a unique form, with 3 lobes at the end, a triangular base, and an edge cut into irregular serrations.

Flowering takes place on new stems that grow in spring, and on short side-shoots on older stems. Clusters of buds open one after another, with each flower staying attractive for a few days and then closing and dropping, keeping the bush always looking tidy without deadheading. Each bloom is over 3 inches across, with an open circle of broad, ruffled petals with irregular edges. In the center is a large mass of narrower petals, making a full heart to this peony-like bloom. The buds are yellowish, but the blossom is entirely white – a pure, snow-white with no traces of cream or pink.

Using Double White Hardy Hibiscus in Your Garden

The Double White Hardy Hibiscus is a striking specimen on a lawn, mixed with evergreens around your home, or planted with other flowering shrubs. The great thing about white is that it fits in with all other colors, and looks wonderful against dark green, so you can relax, knowing that this shrub will look perfect in every garden setting. Plant a white border with other white shrubs for the ultimate in sophisticated garden design. Grow this plant in pots or planters to grace your terrace or patio. Wherever you grow it you are going to love its pure and simple beauty.

Hardiness

You can grow this beautiful shrub anywhere from zone 5 all the way into zone 9. In zone 5 there may be some winter injury, but once you trim it back new growth will quickly shoot out. Since the blooms are carried on new shoots you will still have many blossoms, on a smaller plant.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

Plant the Double White Hardy Hibiscus in full sun for the best growth and the most blooms – it will also tolerate a couple of hours of shade each day without much effect. It will grow in any soil, just so long as it is well-drained, so avoid wet, low-lying areas. The ideal soil is rich and moist, but don’t worry, this is also one of the toughest flowering shrubs around, when it comes to growing in hot, dry locations. It is also very resistant to the stresses of urban air pollution, and somewhat resistant to ocean salt spray.

Maintenance and Pruning

Water regularly until established, and then it will only be necessary to water deeply from time to time during very hot and dry parts of the summer. Pests and diseases are rare, and deer usually ignore all hardy hibiscus. The only care needed is to prune in spring, and even this is not strictly necessary. In containers, or to grow extra-large blossoms, cut back stems from the previous year to 2 or 3 buds. Otherwise leave about 12 inches of those stems, and also remove some of the oldest stems close to the ground. No summer trimming is needed, or desirable, because this plant stays neat with just a spring trim.

History and Origin of Double White Hardy Hibiscus

The hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus syriacus, has a long history of garden growing, ever since it was brought to Europe sometime in the 16th century. It came from Syria, and at that time it was called ‘Syrian ketmia’. Since then it has also been called Althea, and Rose of Sharon. It actually comes from India and China, and probably came to Syria along the ancient Silk Routes. From Europe it travelled to America with the colonists, and it was greatly loved by Thomas Jefferson, who before 1800 was growing it at all his houses. Southern nurseries found it more popular than roses in the 19th century, when many new varieties were developed. In the 20th century it was temporarily displaced by new plants like crape myrtles, but today it is having a revival, as a wonderful heirloom plant that is incredibly easy to grow. The Double White Hardy Hibiscus probably arose from a white-flowered single variety developed before 1873 and called ‘Monstrosus’. It was originally called ‘Monstrosus Plenus’, ‘Albus Plenus’ or ‘Luteus Plenus’. Luckily, by 1894 it had a name worthy of its beauty – ‘Jeanne d’Arc’.

Buying Double White Hardy Hibiscus at The Tree Center

You might be creating a white garden, or simply looking for a bright accent. Either way this rare variety is only rarely available. Take advantage of our having it in stock and order now, because we have no idea when this garden heroine will be back.