Question
QUESTION: What colors do the double blooming varieties come in?  I have purchased the purple and red varieties but I have a single white with the red center that has both single white and double white blooms on the same bush, I have never seen a double white or a bush with both types of blooms, is this common?

ANSWER: Dear Debra

Thank you for your question.

I've had to do a bit of research on this one!

I believe that there is a double golden yellow with an orange flush at its center called 'Crown of Bohemia', and an unusual pendent flowered variety which comes in red or pink.  The former is a variety of Rose of China (H.rose sinensis) and the latter is commonly called Japanese lantern (H.schizopetalus).

The plant with both double and single blooms is a bit odd if it started out single and has become double!  It may be natural for this variety to form double blooms as it ages.  I confess I don't know the answer to this one so all I can say is 'enjoy it'!

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Althea   QUESTION: The plant is only five years old, so I don't think it would be caused by age, could this be a result of cross pollination, as I have many bees?

Answer
Hello again Debra

I have been thinking about this and I must say I am quite puzzled!  Double flowers don't usually arise spontaneously - they are the result of deliberate hybridization.  You are prbably right about the age thing though!  I really can't explain it!  Perhaps it's just one of natures little gifts - as I said before enjoy it!