Combo Chef: Fire & Ice

Terra Nova’s Fire & Ice combination makes a bold statement with both color and texture. Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’ anchors the combo in the back of the container, surrounded by Heuchera ‘Black Beauty,’ ‘Thymus ‘Silver Posie,’ ‘Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’ and Acanthus ‘Tasmanian Angel.’

‘Gulf Stream’ is a dwarf variety with bronze leaves in spring changing to deep blue-green in summer. Fall color ranges from orange to red. Optimum growth is at 8,500 footcandles. Temperatures can range from 80° to 90°.

‘Black Beauty’ features dark, glossy, ruffled leaves. ‘Georgia Peach’ has large, peach leaves with a white overlay. Foliage changes from peach-orange in spring to rose or rose-purple with the white veil in fall and lasts through winter.

Both heucheras require moderate to light fertility, a moist, well-drained medium low in peat with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Dormancy is not required for growth. Vernalization of 12 weeks is required for optimum flowering.

‘Silver Posie,’ with its pink flowers and white-margined leaves, is a light feeder and grows best in neutral to alkaline soils.

‘Tasmanian Angel’ features dark-green leaves with white margins and mottling. It grows best in a fertile, moist and well-drained medium with a pH of 5.5-7.0. It’s a moderate feeder and dormancy is not required for growth.

Recipe by Terra Nova: Terra Nova Nurseries, (800) 215-9450; www.terranovanurseries.com.

Production

* ‘ Gulf Stream’ nandina: Well-drained medium; light feeder; optimum growth at 8,500 footcandles; temperature range of 80°-90°.

* ‘Black Beauty’ and ‘Georgia Peach’ heucheras: Well-drained growing medium light in peat with pH of 6.0-7.0; light feed; no dormancy required; 12 weeks of vernalization required for optimum flowering.

* ‘Silver Posie’ thymus: Grows best in neutral to alkaline medium; light feed.

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* ‘Tasmanian Angel’ acanthus: Well-drained medium with pH of 5.5-7.0; moderate feed; no dormancy required.

- Kelli Rodda