Exciting Experiment; What’s Yours?

October 5, 2010 | By webadmin

Bloodleaf Plant

What new plant did you try in your yard this summer? I love the process of discovery. Each season I like to try something new in the yard. Uncovering the right plant for the right place in the microclimate of different corners of your yard is like imitating Charles Darwin and checking on survival of the fittest. Which plant type will thrive the best in my yard?

This season I focused on selecting plants with vibrant foliage color, not relying only on blooming plants for color in my front yard. This approach results in instant color contrast and pulls the eye through the front bed to towards the front door focal point. The space is part sun/ part shade and nestled among some trees like Cedar Elms and Burr Oaks. In my exciting experiment I tried the plant called Bloodleaf plant, Iresine herbstii.

Bloodleaf plant grows to 24-36 inches tall. This eye-catching plant has small, heart-shaped leaves that are deep maroon red with vibrant, bright-pink veins. Although grown mostly for its showy , waxy foliage, it does bear flowers. It's a shrubby plant that can reach two-three feet high and as wide. Pinch the tall shoots of this plant if you would like it to stay compact at 12-20 inches. It thrives in part sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil. For best results feed with a liquid or slow release fertilizer, as directed. Consider it an annual. I also tried it in some containers.

Looks great with two other plants to complete the threesome. In the photo, you can see it placed with Impatiens and Japanese Holly ferns creating three textures with contrasting color and bright pink as a color theme.