Botanical Name: Impatiens hawkeri 'Petticoat® ‘Red Star’

Common Name: New Guinea Impatiens

Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in Most Climates (Perennial in USDA Zones 10–11)

Size: 12–18" Tall × 14–20" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Mounded, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Partial Shade to Bright Shade (Tolerates Morning Sun)

Soil: Rich, Well-Drained Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Prefers Consistent Moisture

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding for Best Performance

Features: Ruffled Scarlet-Red Blooms with Star-Like Pattern, Glossy Green Foliage, Excellent Shade Performance

Uses: Shade Containers, Hanging Baskets, Borders, Mass Plantings, Covered Patios

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete New Guinea Impatiens Plant Guidefor full care details.

More About Petticoat® Red Star

New Guinea Impatiens Petticoat® ‘Red Star’ brings exceptional color and texture to shaded gardens with its rich red blooms and distinctive ruffled petals. Unlike traditional impatiens, the flowers have a fuller, more layered appearance that creates added visual interest from both a distance and up close. The vibrant blooms stand out beautifully against the plant’s deep green, glossy foliage, producing a bold display that remains attractive from Spring until frost.

Its well-branched habit creates a dense, mounded plant that works equally well in containers, hanging baskets, and landscape beds. The striking red flowers provide a strong focal point in shaded areas where bright colors can sometimes be difficult to achieve. Whether planted alone or combined with complementary foliage plants, ‘Red Star’ delivers season-long beauty and reliable garden performance.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Red Star’ has consistently impressed us with its vigorous growth, uniform habit, and continuous flowering throughout the growing season. Plants establish quickly, fill containers evenly, and maintain excellent flower coverage when provided with regular moisture and fertile soil. Even during periods of summer heat, the blooms remain vibrant and abundant in bright shade and filtered sunlight.

We especially appreciate the richness of its flower color and the added texture created by the ruffled petals. The blooms have a premium, almost double-flowered appearance that elevates mixed containers and shade plantings. For gardeners looking to add bold color to lower-light areas, ‘Red Star’ has proven to be one of the most dependable and visually striking New Guinea Impatiens varieties in our trials.

Petticoat® ‘Red Star’ vs. Other Impatiens

‘Red Star’ stands apart within the Petticoat® Series due to its distinctive star-patterned bloom, offering more visual detail than the solid-color flowers of Dark Red and Pink Berry. While it still benefits from the same dark foliage base, its patterned flowers create a lighter, more playful look. This added pattern gives the plant more movement and interest, especially when viewed up close in containers or along walkways.

Compared to Sonic® ‘Salmon,’ ‘Red Star’ feels more refined and contrast-driven, while Sonic leans toward uniform mass color. This makes ‘Red Star’ especially effective in mixed containers where close-up interest matters. Petticoat® ‘Red Star works especially well when you want dark foliage drama paired with added visual detail and personality up close.