Hibiscus Summerific® 'Edge of Night'

Hibiscus Summerific® 'Edge of Night': Bubblegum Pink Meets Goth Foliage

Near-black leaves with red veins, like it spent the night in a dark club and doesn't regret a thing. Then out pop bubblegum pink flowers, ALL INNOCENT, AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hibiscus hybrid
• Common Name: Rose Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus
• Series: Summerific®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 90–105 cm (3–3.5 ft)
• Spread: 120–135 cm (4–4.5 ft)
• Flowers: Bubblegum pink with darker pink veins and overlapping petals, 18–20 cm (7–8 in) across
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Near-black leaves with red veins and stems, followed by green calyxes after the flowers
• Features: Long blooming

Where to Plant: The dark leaves make it a contrast plant from late spring on, so give it a front-row spot in the middle of a sunny border. Its compact height suits smaller yards and foundation beds. It's happy in moist ground, including rain gardens and damp clay.

Companion Plants: Use 'Edge of Night' in a sunny, moist bed with blue flag iris, pink turtleheads and dark-leaved snakeroot. Acorus 'Oborozuki' edges the front with golden, grass-like blades at 25 to 30 cm. Iris versicolor opens native violet-blue flag iris at 60 to 80 cm in May and June. Chelone 'Hot Lips' adds rose-pink turtleheads at 60 to 90 cm in August and September. Eupatorium 'Chocolate' brings dark leaves and white flowers at 90 to 120 cm from August to October.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun for the most flowers; part sun works, with fewer blooms. Give it moist, fertile soil and keep it watered. Hardy hibiscus wilt and drop buds when they dry out, so a deep soak during summer dry spells pays off. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture. It is one of the last perennials to wake up in spring, sometimes not until late May or early June. Mark the spot so nobody plants on top of it. Once it starts, it grows fast. In spring, before new growth appears, cut last year's woody stems back to about 15 cm (6 in) with loppers or a saw. Mulch heavily its first winter. It rarely needs dividing and prefers to stay put. Watch for Japanese beetles in July.

History: 'Edge of Night' was bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, from a 2016 cross of a parent line mixing Hibiscus moscheutos and Hibiscus coccineus. Swamp rose mallow (H. moscheutos) is a wetland wildflower of eastern North America, found as far north as southwestern Ontario.

Final Thoughts: Give it a sunny spot and it blooms on and on. The hummingbirds have made it their regular. LIVE A LITTLE ON THE EDGE.