perennialN. America Native

Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus 'Starry Night'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

48 inches

Width

48 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Medium to wet

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial

Native To

North America (hybrid)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Hardy Hibiscus are robust, fast-growing, shrub-like perennials native to North American wetlands, famous for their enormous, tropical-looking flowers that bloom in late summer. 'Starry Night' offers exceptional contrast with its deep, near-black maple-like foliage. This dark backdrop makes its huge, 7-8 inch pale pink flowers with darker pink veining and a bright cherry-red eye appear even more luminous.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a stunning, high-impact tropical look in a temperate garden. The combination of near-black foliage and massive, luminous pink flowers creates a dramatic focal point from mid-summer until the first frost, a time when many other perennials are fading.

Its love for moist to wet soils makes it an excellent candidate for rain gardens, pond edges, or other problematic boggy spots in the landscape. It can also be grown in large containers if watered consistently.

The large, open-faced flowers are a beacon for pollinators, especially bumblebees and hummingbirds, providing a late-season nectar source. The dense foliage can offer cover for small wildlife.

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Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with at least six hours of direct sun.
Choose a location with consistently moist to wet soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
Place the plant in the hole so the crown is at soil level.
Backfill with soil, firm gently, and create a water-retaining berm.
Water deeply and consistently, especially during hot, dry weather.

Pro Tip

Be patient in spring; they are one of the last perennials to emerge, often not showing growth until soil temperatures warm significantly.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide plenty of water and full sun for best performance.
Cut the entire plant back to about 6 inches in late fall or early spring.
Apply a layer of mulch to help conserve soil moisture.
Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plant looking tidy, though it's not required for rebloom.

Don't

Don't let the soil dry out; they are not drought tolerant.
Don't panic if it doesn't emerge early in spring; it's normal.
Avoid planting in deep shade, which results in weak stems and few flowers.
Don't divide too frequently; they perform best when left undisturbed.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Plant
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Dramatic late-summer focal pointBold backdrop for perennial bordersLush rain garden specimen

Companion Plants

Panicum virgatum Eupatorium maculatum Lobelia cardinalis Asclepias incarnata Rudbeckia maxima

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus questions

What zones can Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus grow in?

Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus deer resistant?

Yes — Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus bloom?

Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus typically blooms in mid-summer through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus need full sun?

Starry Night Hardy Hibiscus does best in full sun (6+ hours).