{"product_id":"red-threads-alternanthera-alternanthera-ficoidea-red-threads","title":"Red Threads Alternanthera - Alternanthera ficoidea 'Red Threads'","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Threads Alternanthera (\u003cem\u003eAlternanthera ficoidea\u003c\/em\u003e 'Red Threads') is a low groundcover that grows about 30cm tall and 30cm wide, with very slender leaves in deep purple, burgundy and green. The fine foliage makes a rich maroon carpet or a neat low edging, and it handles heat well. It is frost tender, so it suits 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\u003eFiner than other alternantheras.\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves are much slimmer than on other forms, which adds texture beside broader foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeep, dark colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple, burgundy and green tones read as a rich maroon, especially where light shines through the leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandles heat.\u003c\/strong\u003e It has good heat tolerance, so it copes with hot summer beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick to cover.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows fast in warm weather, so gaps in a bed close up quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers if you let it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Balls of cream white flowers rise above the foliage when it is left unclipped.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover and mass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart for a continuous carpet. In warm weather the plants knit together quickly, and the dark foliage sets off pale paving and mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow hedge and border edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single row 30cm apart makes a dwarf stepover hedge or a dark ribbon along a path or garden bed. Clip it to hold the line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries, cottage gardens and pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e The fine leaves suit rockery pockets, cottage plantings and containers, where the colour sits well against silver or green foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Red Threads Alternanthera in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade in a warm, frost free spot. It tolerates heat well, but it is frost tender. In cooler areas, plant it only after the danger of frost has passed and treat it as a warm season planting, or grow it in a pot you can shelter. Colour is deepest in good light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil enriched with compost suits it. Avoid wet, heavy spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water well until the plant is established, usually around twelve weeks. Fertilise in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clip over lightly to keep it dense and compact. Left unclipped it sends up balls of cream white flowers, which you can trim off if you prefer the foliage alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Red Threads Alternanthera as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes suit large plantings, since you need roughly one plant for every 30cm of bed. Plants travel upright and compact, so unpack them promptly, plant into moist, mulched soil and water in well. Expect the colour to deepen and the clump to widen as the weather warms.\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 groundcover plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mass-planting-plants\"\u003ePlants for mass planting\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003eRockery plants with colour\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/border-brilliance-low-growing-plant-ideas\"\u003eLow growing plants for garden edges\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 Red Threads?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 30cm apart for a continuous carpet or a low hedge. Wider gaps take longer to close, and closer planting gains you little.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is frost tender, and frost burns the foliage. In cool winter areas treat it as a warm season planting, or grow it in pots that can move under cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need clipping?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClipping keeps it dense and neat, and it is essential for a tidy low hedge. If you leave it unclipped, balls of cream white flowers appear above the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787163500863,"sku":"ALT-FIC-REDTHR-tube","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/red-threads-alternanthera-alternanthera-ficoidea-red-threads.jpg?v=1792149300","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/red-threads-alternanthera-alternanthera-ficoidea-red-threads","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}