In the Garden with Kerry Heafner

We’re on the downhill side of summer now, and the days already seem a little shorter.  Well, plants can detect it even if we may not notice it yet.  We still have plenty of heat and humidity, though, don’t worry about that.  If you’re wondering what you can plant now for brilliant color in the hottest part of summer, look no further than Gomphrena or Globe Amaranth! 

Gomphrena is in the Amaranth family and you will be amazed at how it stands up to heat and humidity, and how it produces brilliantly colored flowers until the first killing frost.  And what versatility!  Gomphrena is great for attracting butterflies and other insect pollinators.  It’s a great choice for containers, too.  If you grow cut flowers for arrangements, you won’t want to be without Gomphrena!  It’s a great option for cottage gardens along picket fence borders.  Finally, it’s a great choice for a simple mass planting of bright color.

Gomphrena is super easy to grow!  They need at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily for maximum performance.  So, we’re talking full sun here.  They need a loose, workable soil with good drainage (what doesn’t?), and the more compost or other organic matter you can work into the soil the better.  Other than space to fill in, that’s really all they need.  Gomphrenas are not fertilizer hogs at all, so a little goes a long way.  The variety in Globe Amaranths is not to be believed, as colors range from reds, pinks, purples to whites and even oranges are in commercial trade, and they all need a place in your gardens.  

The ‘Ping Pong’ series are varieties of Gomphrena globosa and you won’t believe the variety of pollinators ‘Ping Pongs’ will attract to your landscape.  And, ‘Ping Pong’ is a great way to add a little height to your bed if your other summer annuals are fairly short in stature.  ‘Ping Pongs’ will get up to around 20 inches tall and about 10 inches wide.  Look for ‘Ping Pong Purple,’ ‘Ping Pong White,’ and ‘Ping Pong Lavender’ which is a lighter hue than the purple.

Another variety to look for in garden centers is ‘Truffula Pink.’  Hot pink globes of flowers will really make your beds pop.   ‘Truffula Pink’ will get a little taller than the ‘Ping Pongs,’ up to 28 inches and about as wide.  ‘Truffula Pink’ has a more spreading habit, so is a great choice if you need to fill a space in a sunny location.  Its slightly taller stature makes it ideal for arrangements.  ‘Truffula Pink’ will attract butterflies all season long and will not need deadheading.  So, if low maintenance is one of your criteria, you can’t go wrong with ‘Truffula Pink.’  Honestly, garden centers have a hard time keeping it because it’s so popular.

Finally, ‘Fireworks’ is another Gomphrena to look for and believe me, the fireworks you saw over the 4th of July simply can’t compete with ‘Fireworks Gomphrena.’  Now, watch where you place ‘Fireworks’ in a bed because it’s height, about 4 feet, makes it ideal for placing toward the back of a bed.  ‘Fireworks’ will need some space, too because they get about four feet wide.  Hot pink flowers tipped in yellow will make your landscape pop and sizzle! 

Gomphrenas are annual in our area.  But, getting them to overwinter may not be out of the question if we have a mild winter and they’re mulched in.  Other than that, plan on replacing them every year.  They’re available not only as plants, but you can find seeds for these and other varieties in your favorite seed catalogs.

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 2nd, and come join us at the Preservation Field Day at the LSU AgCenter’s Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph.  This is a program of the North Louisiana Seed Preservation Program.  There will be demonstration booths, self-guided garden tours, and keynote speaker will be Dr. Mike Cannon, retired LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Specialist.  The best part is you’ll get to taste some of the wonderful heirloom vegetables we have recovered and grown out.  Seeds will also be available.

Finally, we’re looking ahead to Saturday, November 2nd.  We’ll be holding a statewide seed swap and sale at the state evac shelter in Alexandria.  Seed savers and swappers from all over the area will be on hand to either trade or sell seeds of their favorite heirloom vegetables and flowers.  Legendary seed saver John Coykendall from Blackberry Farm in Tennessee will be on hand, and we hope you’ll join us in Alexandria on November 2nd!  I’ll have more information as time gets closer.