{"product_id":"fire-bug-alternanthera-alternanthera-denticulata-fire-bug","title":"Fire Bug Alternanthera - Alternanthera denticulata 'Fire Bug'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFire Bug Alternanthera (\u003cem\u003eAlternanthera denticulata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Fire Bug') is a dense, low colour plant that grows up to about 1m high and wide. Fresh growth emerges brilliant burgundy and settles to bronze-green as it ages, with pink tones in between, so the colour lasts all year. It is used for borders, low hedges and groundcover in warm, frost-free gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear round colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink, wine red and bronze tones keep the garden colourful without waiting for flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDense growth.\u003c\/strong\u003e It forms a thick, low mat of foliage that fills gaps in a bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree jobs in one.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it as a groundcover, a border or a low hedge, depending on how you prune it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA strong contrast plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Burgundy leaves look sharp planted beside gold-leaved plants, a pairing that gives a bright tropical burst of colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick cover.\u003c\/strong\u003e It spreads into a dense mass, so a small number of plants soon covers a good area with colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart in a single row for a dense, low border that holds its colour. Clip regularly to keep the line tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover.\u003c\/strong\u003e For a mass of colour, set plants 50cm apart in staggered rows. They knit together to cover the soil as they grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContrast plantings.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it beside gold or lime foliage, for a bold tropical combination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Fire Bug Alternanthera in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sun or part shade in warm, frost-free areas. It suits tropical and subtropical gardens. Protect it from frost, because cold burns the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Any reasonably free draining soil with mulch over it. Enrich poor ground with compost before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch the bed and water well for the first three months while the plant establishes. In dry spells keep the water up, because the foliage colour depends on healthy, steady growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clip it regularly to keep the growth dense and encourage fresh foliage. Frequent clipping also keeps it low and brings a steady supply of new red growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Fire Bug Alternanthera as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. The young plants arrive small, and they thicken quickly in warm weather with regular water. Plant them in a mulched bed and water well until they settle. The tubes come from our grower, who does not always have them. A sold out tube simply means none is available today, and the notify button on the page emails you the day stock is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eBrowse our groundcover plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/top-plants-for-ground-cover-a-guide-to-greenery\"\u003eTop plants for ground cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/variegated\"\u003ePlants with colourful foliage\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-tropical-climates\"\u003ePlants for tropical climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 50cm apart. That gives a dense mat or border as the plants meet, without crowding them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is for warm, frost-free areas, and it should be protected from frost. In cooler climates it needs a sheltered position under cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I keep the colour bright?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrune regularly. Clipping keeps growth dense and fresh, and new foliage is the reddest.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67789658358079,"sku":"ALT-DEN-FIREBU-tube","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/fire-bug-alternanthera-alternanthera-denticulata-fire-bug.jpg?v=1792193705","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/fire-bug-alternanthera-alternanthera-denticulata-fire-bug","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}