Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Ballet Slippers Hardy Hibiscus: Near-White Pinwheels for Late Summer
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Ballet Slippers hardy hibiscus fills a gap that hibiscus fans have noticed for years: a flower that reads as nearly white. Each ruffled, 7-inch bloom is white with a deep red eye and a soft blush of pink on every petal edge, and the petals overlap so tightly that the flower looks like a pinwheel.
It is a showpiece for late summer, when the lavender has been harvested and many beds start to look tired. The catch, and it is a big one, is water. This plant drinks far more than lavender ever will.
Ballet Slippers at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hibiscus 'Ballet Slippers' |
| Flowers | About 7 inches across, white with blush pink edges and a deep red eye |
| Foliage | Bright green, deeply lobed |
| Size | About 48 inches tall, 54 to 60 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-July, peaks mid-August, continues into early fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun for the most flowers; part shade tolerated |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators and hummingbirds; moderately deer resistant |
Where it fits in a lavender garden
Think of Ballet Slippers as a companion for the wetter side of the same yard. Lavender wants lean, dry ground; this hibiscus descends from wetland species and wants soil that never dries out for long. Put the two in one bed and one of them will be unhappy, usually the lavender.
What works is a sightline. A rain garden, a downspout bed or a regularly watered border within view of your lavender lets the hibiscus pick up the season just as the lavender winds down. Its pale flowers and red centers sit nicely against silver lavender foliage seen from across the lawn. Sketch the layout in the Companion Plant Planner to keep the wet and dry zones apart.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun, with room for a shrub-sized plant about 5 feet across.
- Soil: poor to fertile is fine, as long as moisture is steady.
- Water: do not let it dry out for long. In hot spells, wilting leaves and slower flowering are its way of asking for a drink.
- Spring: it is one of the last perennials to emerge, often not until late May or June. Do not dig it up thinking it died.
- Cleanup: cut the woody stems back to a few inches in late fall or early spring.
Japanese beetles, aphids and sawfly larvae are the more common nuisances, and leaf spot can show up in wet seasons. Good air flow helps.
Bare root planting tips
This variety is offered as a bare root plant. Soak the roots briefly before planting, set the crown at the depth noted on the listing, firm the soil and water well. Expect a modest first year while it builds roots, then a much bigger show in the seasons after. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ballet Slippers truly white?
It is near-white. The petals are white with a blush pink edge and a shiny deep red eye, so from a distance it reads as pale rather than pure white.
Can I cut the flowers for a vase?
Not really. Each bloom lasts about a day and the plant is rated poor as a cut flower. Enjoy it in the garden, where the bud count keeps new flowers opening for weeks.
Why is my plant not up yet in May?
That is normal for hardy hibiscus. It is fully hardy in Michigan but very late to wake up, so mark its spot in fall.
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