Fall Plant Combo

It’s time to refresh and jazz up your fall planters.

One threesome that is sure to electrify is Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’, Lobularia (Alyssum) ‘Snow Princess’ and Heuchera (Coral Bell) ‘Key Lime Pie’. Zowie!

Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ is an offspring of the ever-popular, annual Purple Fountain Grass (the lovely burgundy-green grass with rosy-pink flowers). But ‘Fireworks’ is sassier – it has pink, white and green variegated leaves with a more delicate, airier habit. It enjoys full sun and grows to 24”-30”.

Heuchera ‘Key Lime Pie’ glows with its brilliant yellow-chartreuse, mounded leaves adorned by white flowers.

And the royal touch comes from Alyssum ‘Snow Princess’, a robust lady with masses of white fragrant flowers. Sometimes she can overwhelm her suite mates and that is where the Knights in shining silver save the day. ‘Frosty Knight’ and ‘White Knight’ are two new introductions that have the same good look as the fair princess, but they are more restrained, respecting others spaces.

And here’s another benefit of this threesome.   Two out of the three can be over wintered for next year’s enjoyment. Simply dig ‘Key Lime Pie’ into the garden for its winter nap and bring ‘Fireworks’ inside, treating it as a house plant.  Before bringing ‘Fireworks’ into the house, ‘water it down’ with insecticidal soap to kill any stowaway bugs.