Best double

[helixturnhelix]

I realized today that I have no double hibiscus, and would like to know what everyone's favorite double bloom is, so that I may put together a nice wish list.

[Charlie]

Cindy votes for Fat Actress. A truly beautiful bush and it blooms a lot.

I would suggest Rosalind for overall performance, Heaven Scent for the beauty of the blooms and foliage, Magic Moments for the size of the flower and sturdiness of the bush, Her Majesty for both flower and bush, Standing Ovation for standout flower and great bush, and Island Queen as the best new double for floriferousness and beauty of the flower. Next year an unnamed Standing Ovation x Acapulco Gold should be available that is also really great. Unfortunately, some of the above are rare and not often available. We usually have Fat Actress, Magic Moments, and Island Queen available in at least one size.

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

There are too many to choose from!  I think heaven scent is going to be added no matter what and I like Cindy's suggestion of fat actress.  Do u have any pics of the new unnamed seedling?  Perhaps we can help you name it:)

-Chris

[Nievesgirl]

oddly enough I hate doubles  . I only seen a few I liked from HVH one I think it was called pretty woman ? the other one I love so much but you have not released it yet. I am a weird person I had a dream about this cultivar and in my dream it was so beautiful. http://www.hiddenvalleynaturearts.com/acatalog/spanishdancerinfo.html
 

I seen gator magic and like that , there are a few others not oftered by HVH but some are semi doubles not complete doubles

[Charlie]

Hi Chris,

Here is a photo of the new double that is Standing Ovation x Acapulco Gold. It looks a lot like Standing Ovation but with the bright edges that Acap Gold contributed. It's a big flower that so far has been well presented on the plant (not hanging down).

Nievesgirl, the beautiful flower Spanish Dancer has perished, sad to say. The bush was never strong and it dropped buds in any hot weather so we were never able to use it. I'm hopeful that we may get another one like it some day but on a better bush.

Charlie

[Charlie]

Speaking of double flowered hibiscus in general it has always been the case that singles were more popular than doubles, but that is changing a little. We used to ship 1 double for every 10 singles but now it is closer to 1 out of 5. I think better doubles has helped and also more familiarity with them has helped. I like both equally although the classic single with the long staminal column is still the ideal.

Charlie

[Darkhorse]

Me too, I'm not really a fan of doubles.  Don't know why... maybe it's because they don't look like a traditional hib.  I like a couple of the loose doubles (I guess you'd call them that), like Island King and Queen, but the singles just do it for me I guess.

[helixturnhelix]

That seedlings yellow edge reminds me of a glowing ember, with the red hot center with the light edge.  Very nice combo. 

[Charlie]

The double flowered seedling I posted the photo of is actually only one of several similar flowers that we are evaluating. Most are out of Standing Ovation but some are Saffron x Island Queen. Once we get it all sorted out I'll post good photos of all that are still under consideration and see what you all think of them. Standing Ovation is a really great one in all respects but needs grafting and yet it was one of the worst to reject the graft after a few years. So....I don't do it much anymore unless one roots for me which sometimes happens.

Charlie

[nina]

Here is Magic Moments, two different blooms in two days.

I like it, although it lacks something to be perfect. The bloom itself is perfect, so big, so full, so colorfull, so upright. The plant is a slow grower, not well foliated for my taste. But I am keeping it because the bloom is gorgeous.