Swan Lake Hibiscus

Swan Lake Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Swan Lake') is a tall, dense, upright shrub that reaches about 3m high and 1.5m wide. From summer to winter it bears dainty, pure white flowers in the classic windmill shape above gently serrated leaves. It is the white flowering hibiscus for screens and tall hedges in warm gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Pure white flowers. Dainty windmill flowers open pure white against the serrated leaves, a cooler look than the usual reds and oranges.
• A long season. Blooms appear from summer through to winter, so the shrub is in flower for much of the year.
• Dense and upright. The habit is naturally bushy and upright, which is exactly what a screen or tall hedge needs.
• The odd surprise. Now and then it throws a soft pink flower among the white, a quirk of this plant rather than a fault.

Where it works best

Screens and tall hedges. Plant 1.2m apart in a single row. At 1.5m wide the shrubs overlap into a solid upright screen, reaching about 3m if left unclipped.

Feature plant. Place it beside an entry, pool fence or deck where the white flowers show against green, allowing 1.5m of width.

A lower hedge. Regular pruning keeps it dense and bushy, and you can hold it below its full height for a lower hedge that still screens.

Growing Swan Lake Hibiscus in Australia

Position and climate. Give it sun and shelter in a warm garden. It enjoys humidity and suits tropical and subtropical gardens best. Keep it out of strong wind and away from exposed sites, and protect it from frost, especially while it is young.

Soil. Soil that drains freely and is rich in compost suits it, but it must not stay wet. Work in a humus rich potting mix at planting and mulch well.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well, particularly through dry spells, then fertilise after flowering in spring.

Pruning. It benefits from regular pruning to stay dense and bushy. Prune after flowering in spring, shaping as you go, and fertilise afterwards.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Swan Lake Hibiscus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are the economical way to plant a long screen, and warm soil gets them moving within weeks. Expect a small plant on arrival that needs a few seasons to reach screening height.

Our grower supplies the tube stock, and supply is not always steady. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our hibiscus range
• Hibiscus care guide for Australian gardens
• Hedging and screening plants
• Shrubs for privacy

Common questions

How tall does Swan Lake grow?

About 3m high and 1.5m wide if left unclipped. Regular pruning keeps it dense and lets you hold it lower for a hedge.

Why is there a pink flower on my white hibiscus?

An odd soft pink flower is a known habit of this plant and appears now and then among the white ones. It is not a sign of a problem.

Does it flower all year?

It flowers from summer to winter. The season is longest in gardens without frost, and a hard frost will cut it short.