Combination plantings are hot sellers - consumers are paying premium prices for readymade mixed planters, or bringing home the components for a "do-it-yourself" garden project. While colorful annuals take center stage, the backbone to these eye-catching mixed plantings is structural accent plants. Grown for the attractive foliage, these plants add touches of color, texture and shape to mixed baskets and containers of all types. Many are also useful in landscape plantings.

Availability: Refer to the Ball Specialty Garden Plants Order Form for a complete listing of the forms and sizes available, or check availability on-line at www.ballseed.com.

Plectranthus
Exposure:

Finish container: 4-in. (10-cm) pots
Best used for: Combination containers, baskets

Dark Purple
Foliage: Green with purple undersides and stems
Vigor: Medium
Plant Type: Upright, 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm)

Goldgreen
P. forsteri
Foliage:
Yellow-green margin and dark green center
Vigor: Medium
Plant Type: Upright, 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm)

Green Mountain
P. amboinicus
Foliage:
Serrated; three-tone variegation from dark green to lime green
Vigor: Medium strong, slightly less vigorous than 'Silver Sea'
Plant Type: Upright, horizontal growth; 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm)

Silver Sea
P. argenatus
Foliage:
Soft silver gray
Vigor: Strong
Plant Type: Upright, 12 to 16 in. (30 to 41 cm)

Variegated
P. coleoides
Foliage:
Rounded, slightly fuzzy leaves with white and green variegation
Vigor: Strong
Plant Type: Upright, trailing; 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm)

Comments: Fragrance similar to incense

White Frost
P. forsteri
Foliage:
Scalloped; green with excellent white variegation
Vigor: Medium
Plant Type: Upright, 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm)


Senecio
Exposure:

Mexican Flame Vine
Foliage: Hollylike leaves
Flowers: Single, 1 1/2-in. (4-cm), daisylike blooms of bright true orange
Vigor: Strong
Plant type: Upright, vining; grows quickly into a full, shrublike shape
Finish container: 4-in. (10-cm) pots
Best used for:
Mixed plantings in baskets and containers; adapts well to trellising

Parlor Ivy
Foliage: Large, soft true green leaves
Flowers: Some yellow, non-showy blooms
Vigor: Strong; grows up to 3 ft. (91 cm) in a single season
Plant type: Trailing, vining
Finish container: 4-in. (10-cm) pots
Best used for:
Mixes well with just about any flowering varieties in containers, baskets and window boxes

Wax Ivy
Foliage: Attractive, thick, waxy leaves; medium green with creamy white variegation, white veins
Vigor: Strong; grows up to 3 ft. (91 cm) on a structure in one season
Plant type: Trailing/vining
Finish container: 4-in. (10 cm.) pots and 10-in. (25-cm) baskets
Best used for:
Combination containers and baskets


Setcreasea

Purple Queen
S. purpurea
Exposure:

Foliage: Deep purple; holds its color in both hot and cool conditions
Vigor: Medium
Plant type: Trailing
Finish container: 4 and 6-in. (10 and 15-cm) pots, 10 to 12-in. (25 and 30-cm) hanging baskets and 1-gallon containers
Best used for:
Filler plant in mixed patio planters and hanging baskets; works well as a groundcover. Combines well with yellow, white and lavender foliage or flowers.


Strobilanthus

Brazilian Shield
Exposure:
Foliage: Shiny green accented with bright silver and white zones.
Vigor: Medium
Plant type: Upright, 6 to 8-in. (15 to 20-cm); fills out horizontally

Finish container: 4-in. (10-cm) pot
Best used for:
Mixed containers, baskets and window boxes

Persian Shield
Exposure:
Foliage: Pink-purple leaves; keeps its color even in Summer heat
Vigor: Extremely strong
Plant type: Upright
Finish container: 4-in. (10-cm) pot
Best used for:
Complements many bedding plants well in mixed plantings


Sweet Potato Vine

Ipomoea batatas
Exposure:

Plant type: Trailing, mounded
Finish container:
Best used for: Mixed containers, baskets and window boxes; excellent groundcover

Ace Of Spades
Foliage: Heart-shaped, burgundy purple
Vigor: Very strong

Blackie
Foliage: Green maturing to rich dark purple, almost black
Vigor: Very strong, fast growing

Comments: Contrasts well with yellow, silver and chartreuse flowers and leaves

Lady Fingers
Foliage: Unique shape - each dainty leaf is divided into long, thin, fingerlike lobes; medium green complemented by burgundy stems and veins
Vigor: Most vigorous of the ornamental ipomoeas on the market
Comments: Mounds to about 8 in. (20 cm), creating a full, lush plant

Marguerite
Foliage: Pale lime green
Vigor: More vigorous than 'Blackie'
Comments: Contrasts well with dark-leafed flowers and plants

Tricolor
Foliage: Pink, white and green variegated
Vigor: The slowest vigor of all ipomoeas


Tradescantia

Trading Series
Exposure:
Vigor: Medium
Plant type: Trailing
Finish container: 4-in. (10-cm) pots and hanging baskets
Best used for:
Combination pots, baskets and window boxes

Series colors:
Trading Gold. Golden green.
Trading Silver.
Striped green and ivory.


Vinca Vine
Exposure:
Plant type: Excellent trailing, creeping habit
Finish container: Jumbo packs and 4-in. (10-cm) pots
Best used for: Adding subtle accents to combination plantings, baskets and window boxes; evergreen groundcover

V. major Green
Foliage: Solid green
Vigor: Very strong

Variegated
Foliage: Green and creamy white
Vigor: Strong; stems trail up to 2 ft. (61 cm). Good in baskets, mixed containers and window boxes

V. maculata
Foliage: Attractive green and gold leaves on yellow-stemmed plants
Vigor: More vigorous than 'Variegated'

 

 

 

 

 


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