Alternanthera 'Purple Knight'
Also known as Alternanthera dentata 'Purple Knight'
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a robust foliage plant with big oblong pointed leaves. They are coloured a deep, slightly reddish purple shade. The leaf surface is marked by strongly impressed veining and a deep red central rib. It makes a fantastic counterpoint to golds and lime greens or it could be tried with cool grey shades. It enjoys a sunny spot in any reasonable soil that is well drained but which always has moisture in it.
- Foliage colour
- Purple, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Summer · Planting
Trim the plant
Trim or tidy the plant if it is beginning to exceed its allotted space, or if it looks untidy after flowering.