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How to Grow Rose of Sharon White Double

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Rose of Sharon White Double

Hibiscus syriacus 'White Double'

shrub

Rose of Sharon White Double is a deciduous flowering shrub prized for its large, fully double white blossoms that bloom prolifically throughout late summer and early fall. This cultivar reaches 8-10 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for hedges, specimen plantings, or garden focal points. The dense foliage and showy flowers attract pollinators and add season-long interest to landscapes.

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Example Rose of Sharon White Double timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Rose of Sharon White Double

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Rose of Sharon White Double

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Rose of Sharon White Double dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; can tolerate partial shade but flowering is reduced
💧
Water: Moderate watering; water deeply 1-2 times weekly during growing season, more frequently in hot, dry periods. Once established, fairly drought-tolerant. Reduce watering in fall and winter.
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Spacing: 48 inches
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Days to maturity: Not applicable; begins flowering in year 2-3, reaching full mature size in 5-7 years
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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury the crown

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil; tolerates a range of soil types including slightly sandy or clay-amended soils
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged bark mulch at planting Peat moss or coconut coir to improve water retention in sandy soils Perlite or coarse sand if drainage is poor

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

First growing season (3-4 months)

Newly planted shrub with minimal growth; developing root system with emerging leaf buds

Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist (not waterlogged). Mulch around base with 2-3 inches of bark. Avoid fertilizing first year.

2

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer (4-5 months)

Vigorous spring and early summer growth with full canopy development; lush green foliage with no flowers yet or small buds forming

Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in spring. Prune to desired shape in late winter/early spring before growth begins. Water moderately.

3

Flowering

8-12 weeks (late July through September)

Abundant double white flowers (3-4 inches across) blooming from late July through September; blooms continuously in waves

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Water during dry spells. Apply low-nitrogen fertilizer (higher P and K) to support blooming.

4

Post-Bloom & Senescence

October through first frost (4-6 weeks)

Flowering decreases in October; foliage begins yellowing and dropping in fall; plant enters dormancy

Reduce watering frequency. Do not fertilize. Remove any dead or crossing branches for winter structure.

5

Dormancy

November through March (4-5 months)

Bare branches with no foliage; plant is completely dormant. In colder zones, may show winter dieback of tender growth

No watering needed (natural precipitation is sufficient). Prune in late winter (February-March) before bud break to remove dead wood and shape.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) Coneflower (Echinacea) Daylily (Hemerocallis) Russian Sage (Perovskia) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) Lilac (Syringa) Hydrangea

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) - produce juglone which inhibits growth Plants preferring acidic soil (pH below 5.5) if you have alkaline soils

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick in early morning, use pheromone traps at distance from shrub, or apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is severe

  • Spray with strong water stream to dislodge, increase humidity, apply miticide or neem oil if population explodes, particularly in hot, dry conditions

  • Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, improve air circulation around shrub

  • Remove and destroy infected plants immediately; no cure; manage by controlling mite vectors with miticides

  • Spray with water to dislodge, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings

Uses

🍳

Floral Tea & Beverages

Culinary

The flowers can be dried and steeped to create a mild, slightly tart herbal tea with a delicate flavor. Some cultures use hibiscus flowers (including Hibiscus syriacus varieties) in traditional beverages and culinary dishes. [source]

🌿

Specimen & Landscape Planting

Ornamental

The double white flowers and attractive form make it an excellent choice for focal points, hedging, borders, and foundation plantings. The late summer bloom time fills a gap when many other shrubs have finished flowering. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Though the double cultivar produces fewer viable stamens than single forms, the flowers still attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds looking for late-season nectar. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

In traditional medicine systems (particularly Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine), hibiscus species are used for their antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

🎨

Dried Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

The full double flowers can be dried and used in floral crafts, arrangements, and decorative displays, retaining their shape and color well when properly dried. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Rose of Sharon is not harvested for yield. For cut flowers, cut stems in morning when blooms first open, place immediately in water with flower food. Deadhead spent blooms throughout season to extend flowering period.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Rose of Sharon is not actually a rose—it belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae) and is native to Southeast Asia, not the Middle East as the 'Sharon' name might suggest. It is the national flower of South Korea.
  • 🌱 The 'White Double' cultivar produces fully doubled flowers by modification of the stamens into additional petals, resulting in blooms so full they rarely set seeds, making them sterile ornamentals that don't self-seed excessively.
  • 🌱 Despite being deciduous and leafless most of winter, Rose of Sharon is so cold-hardy and vigorous that it can be coppiced (cut back hard) in early spring to rejuvenate old plants or control size, often producing even more flowers on new growth.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade
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