Angelonia Combos

Angelonia—ready for the summer sun

Spoiler alert: angelonia is one of our top picks for summer—but you probably saw that coming because we’re fans from way back. If there were a reality show called Cincinnati Survivor this plant would make it to the final episode, still standing tall and looking elegant enough to walk the red carpet.

Summer Sherbet

When we last discussed portulaca we recommended using it as a tough edging or groundcover, or for brightening rock gardens because it blooms so vigorously through the hottest days of the season. Today we’d like to talk about another way to display this dependable selection for quick, vivid summer color.

In addition to being a low grower, moss rose has a lovely trailing habit that’s naturally suited to hanging baskets. Of course, there’s a lot going on color-wise: vibrant blooms popping against lustrous dark green foliage, punctuated by bright yellow centers that make them truly eye-catching. A liberal dose of flowers covers the dense green to fill out a basket for a truly lush presentation.  

Portulaca Magenta

Now, one of the reasons we’re so fond of baskets in the summer is because they’re easy, and portulaca gets an equally high score on the easy meter. Those succulent leaves are drought tolerant, and it’s hard to beat a basket of brilliant color we can just hang in a sunny spot and forget to water. 

We have the following colors of moss rose available in the 10-inch hanging basket: Scarlet, Magenta, Yellow, and Summer Sherbet (orange and yellow).

Iresine ‘Purple Lady’

Well, it seems we’ve talked a good bit about hanging baskets today. Here’s a striking accent plant that works in baskets or containers but also makes a dark, dramatic groundcover—‘Purple Lady’ iresine. This beautiful dark burgundy foliage holds its color all the way through to the end of the season.

Look closely and you’ll notice that the leaves have a unique texture and the stems are bright cranberry for even more interest. Now, this plant grows low and fast—it reaches only about 6–8 inches tall but it spreads out quickly to fill a space. In a basket or planter the branches cascade gracefully over the edge as they become longer and heavier.

‘Purple Lady’ is very low-maintenance and—like the black ipomoea we discussed last week—makes a great dark background for brighter plants. Try combining it with some colorful coleus in sun to part shade. 

We grow this variety in the 6-inch pot.