Varieties of White Hibiscus

Rose of Sharon Diana

• The rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a common hibiscus -- the Diana cultivar turns out white flowers beginning in June. The flowers continue to bloom through the summer and into the fall as late as October, with the blossoms remaining open throughout the evening hours, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden's website. Diana grows to 5 to 8 feet as a many-stemmed, deciduous shrub. The 4- to 6-inch wide flowers are pure white. For superior flowering effect, plant Diana in full sun. The hybrid is suitable for hedges, screens, mass plantings and as a specimen plant.

Hardy Hibiscus Blue River II

• Flowers as wide as a dinner plate highlight the hardy hibiscus hybrid Blue River II. The all-white flower develops to be up to 10 inches wide, lasting but a single day as others quickly open to replace them daily. The foliage is a dark shade of green on this perennial, which attains heights up to 5 feet. Blue River II blooms from July though the start of autumn, attracting butterflies and able to handle wet areas. The plant's ability to grow in damp places makes it a good fit for low-lying locations in a landscape, or next to ponds.

Rose Mallow

• Native to many southern states, the rose mallow (Hibiscus lasiocarpos) grows 3 to 7 feet tall, making it large enough to work in the back of a perennial border. Rose mallow has hairy leaves and stems, with the long-blooming flowers being white or rose colored. Rose mallow withstands partial shade, but growing one in full sun increase the plant's chances of battling potential diseases. Rose mallow stand up to hot and humid summers, as long as the soil around it remains moist.

Hibiscus Trionum

• The species of hibiscus known as hibiscus trionum is small enough to employ as a container plant and in cottage gardens. Growing only to 2 feet tall, this annual hibiscus produces white flowers from June through October. The flowers bloom for a handful of hours before they wilt. This European native grows wild across much of America after escaping from cultivation. Hibiscus trionum grows directly from seeds. Plant them after the last chance of frost passes or give then a head start, planting them indoors in containers.