In my seminars, as I show beautiful flower combinations, I always warn those in attendance that you can't get that look from a jumbo six-pack. No, I'm not talking about beer. When it comes to creating our dream flower borders, we have to use enough to make a show and six seedlings are not enough.
Recently, I photographed some beds of my all-time favourite plants, the 'All Around Purple' gomphrena. The plant - commonly called globe amaranth or even bachelor's button - is tough as nails. Sadly, many gardeners don't use it to its potential. It gets spot planted or used a dab here and a dab there.
The 'All Around Purple' is an award-winning variety that reaches 45 centimetres in height and seems to persevere through the hottest of summers like few other plants. One plant isn't noticeable, but a sea of purple grabs attention.
Plant boldly. Buying by the flat and plant in an informal drift. Lining them up in straight lines says "not enough."
One of the beds that stole my heart used a large drift of the gomphrena adjacent to a drift of 'Purple Majesty' ornamental millet, another plant often spot planted.
The background to the planting was another fine textured leafy grass that showed off the multitude of round purple blossoms. Pink perennial hibiscus was also used to echo the purple of the gomphrena and the purple leaves of the ornamental millet.
In another bed that I loved, the complementary colour scheme was used. Again, there was a sea of dark purple but used in combination with gloriosa daisies. The golden yellow of the daisies and purple from the gomphrena created visual excitement in the garden, causing everyone to stop and take photographs to help inspire.
The gomphrena is an excellent cut flower for the vase or dried flower for winter arrangements. Also, consider using the little ball-shaped flowers around the home in potpourri dishes.
Norman Winter is executive director of the Columbus Botanical Garden, Columbus Georgia, and author of Color and Style in the Garden.
