A profusion of ivory yellow buds mature to white waterlily-shaped flowers 3 to 4 inches across in June and then sporadically throughout the rest of the growing season, perfuming the surroundings with the fruity fragrance of ripe melons. Plant 'Venus' in full sun to partial shade and in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil with pH a little on the acid side.

This complex hybrid involves sweetshrub species from the Southeast, West Coast, and China in its heritage and was developed at North Carolina State University.