Name: Alternanthera dentate Little Ruby™
Type of Plant: An annual in this area, but a perennial in zones 9 – 11. Compact, burgundy foliage is most colorful in full sun but grows well in part shade as well.
Why I love this: This annual mixes so well with other plants that it’s perfect for containers or in the ground at the front of flower gardens. It’s a plant that does well in hot places, but it’s grown equally lushly for me this summer when night temperatures have been cool.
A Word to the Wise: Water in-ground plants well once a week, but water those in containers whenever the soil is dry. This plant fills in quickly when planted with a mix of equal parts time-release fertilizer and an organic fertilizer.
The dark foliage and thick growth habit is perfect to mix in with other flowering annuals and perennials. I used this plant in my Annual Alley this year with other purple-foliage plants.
Little Ruby is also perfect in containers. It is now among my “must have” annuals.
