Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus

Description:

Stunning pale pink and white flowers with darker pink veining, contrasting near black, glossy foliage with a dark plum cast; ideal for the mixed garden border or in mass plantings; beware of Japanese Beetles; do not allow to dry to wilting point

Ornamental Features

Starry Starry Night Hibiscus features bold shell pink round flowers with white overtones, dark red eyes and hot pink veins along the stems from mid summer to early fall. Its large glossy lobed leaves remain black in color with showy plum purple variegation throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Starry Starry Night Hibiscus is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Self-Seeding

Starry Starry Night Hibiscus is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Starry Starry Night Hibiscus will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.