A combo rich with texture and color
By: Garden Gate staff
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Sensational texture!
Electric color, unusual flower shapes and enticing texture make up this gorgeous combination.
The tender perennials at left can get quite large, but that’s only where they’re cold-hardy. When grown as annuals, they stay smaller. Either way, keep this in mind as you figure out how many you’ll need to fill a particular spot in the garden.
Where they aren’t hardy, most of these plants overwinter inside pretty easily — you will be more likely to see the glory bush flower this way. When nighttime temperatures are 50 degrees F, bring them inside to a cool dry place that won’t freeze, and don’t worry about light; let the foliage go dormant. Avoid fertilizing but do water about once a month.
Click ahead to find out more about the plants in the combo.
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Combo recipe
Celosia and globe amaranth are easy to start from seed so you can get just the flower color or plant size you want. Direct sow them outdoors when the soil is at least 60 degrees F.
A – ‘Harmony’ kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos manglesii) Tender perennial; yellow flowers from spring to fall; full sun; 4 to 6 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide; cold zones 9 to 12, heat zones 12 to 1
B – QIS™ Purple globe amaranth (Gomphrena haageana) Tender perennial; purple flowers from spring to fall; full sun; 24 to 26 in. tall, 8 to 10 in. wide; cold zones 9 to 11, heat zones 12 to 1
C – Glory bush (Tibouchina heteromalla) Tender perennial; purple flowers from summer to fall; full sun; 4 to 10 ft. tall, 4 to 6 ft. wide; cold zones 10 to 11, heat zones 12 to 1
D – ‘Sunday Wine Red’ celosia (Celosia plumosa) Tender perennial; red flower spikes and foliage from spring to fall; full sun; 18 to 24 in. tall and wide; cold zones 10 to 11, heat zones 12 to 1
E – ‘Amigo Yellow’ celosia (Celosia argentea cristata) Tender perennial; yellow mounded flowers from spring to fall; full sun; 6 to 12 in. tall, 15 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 10 to 11, heat zones 12 to 1
F – Dwarf chenille plant (Acalypha pendula) Tender perennial; red flowers from spring to fall; full sun to part shade; 6 to 10 in. tall, 15 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 10 to 11, heat zones 12 to 1
G – ‘Angelina’ sedum (Sedum rupestre) Perennial; yellow flowers in midsummer; full sun to part shade; 3 to 6 in. tall, 10 to 18 in. wide; cold zones 5 to 9, heat zones 9 to 1
H – Kanga® Pink kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos manglesii) Tender perennial; pink flowers from spring to fall; full sun; 18 to 24 in. tall, 9 to 12 in. wide; cold zones 9 to 12, heat zones 12 to 1
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