Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 9b |
|---|---|
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | mounded |
| Mature height | 12 inches |
| Spread | 18 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Little Ruby™ Alternanthera
Botanical name: Alternanthera dentata ‘Little Ruby’
A compact spreading selection perfect for adding color to garden beds or containers; gorgeous shades of burgundy and purple pop throughout the summer months; heat and humidity tolerant; low maintenance and easy to grow.
Other names: Joseph’s Coat, Parrot Leaf
Ornamental Features
Little Ruby™ Alternanthera's attractive glossy oval leaves remain burgundy in color with hints of ruby-red throughout the year. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Little Ruby™ Alternanthera is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant. The flowers of this plant may actually detract from its ornamental features, so they can be removed as they appear. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Little Ruby™ Alternanthera is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Container Planting, Hanging Baskets
Planting and Growing
Little Ruby™ Alternanthera will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Little Ruby™ Alternanthera is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
