Hibiscus arnottianus (Hawaiian White Hibiscus)

Hibiscus arnottianus (Hawaiian White Hibiscus) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of open and airy to compact habit. Blooming almost continuously, it boasts slightly fragrant, pinwheel shaped, white flowers, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), with a conspicuous, protruding, pink to red staminal column. Borne at the tips of the branches, the showy blossoms stand out against the evergreen foliage of oval, smooth leaves, 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), often adorned with red veins. Hawaiian White Hibiscus is a Hawaiian endemic plant that is native to the moist to wet forests of the mountains of Moloka’i and O’ahu. It has three uniquely different subspecies, and one of them (the Molokaʻi subspecies immaculatus) is endangered and extremely rare in its native habitat. Hibiscus arnottianus and H. waimeae, are the only species of hibiscuses in the world known to have fragrant flowers. Hawaiian White Hibiscus is a beautiful landscape accent with dramatic year-round blooms.

• Grows up to 15-30 ft. tall (450-900 cm) and 20-25 ft. wide (600-750 cm).
• Thrives in full sun to part shade in dry to moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates some light shade, but best flower production and disease resistance occur in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
• Great as a specimen, as a flowering hedge or screen or for containers.
• Keep an eye out for sucking insects, leaf spot.
• Prune as required but generally best not to prune too heavily.
• Propagate by seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, air layering, grafting.
• Native to Hawaii.
• Rare flowers: beauty beyond ordinary gardens