Red Thread Alternathera By C.L. Fornari Latin name: Alternathera ficoidea 'Red Threads’ Common name: Red Thread Alternathera  Size: 6” tall and 12 to 18” wide in my northeast garden Favored growing conditions: Grow in full or part sun – tolerates a wide range of soil types.  Flower color: flowers are insignificant – it’s the foliage that is wonderful! Hardiness: unknown – zones 7 and colder must grow as an annual Pros: This is an annual that is perfect for providing foliage color and texture in annual or perennial gardens. The plants stay neat and compact, and they look best in a group.  Cons: No flowers? Get over it.  Comments: I order this plant from Singing Springs every year, and it is now available as one of Sunny Border’s Bodacious Temperennials. Ask your local garden center to find it!  Suggested companion plants: Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ (pictured with my Red Thread in my 2004 garden) and everything else in your garden. Like any purple-leaf plant, Red Thread is particularly striking next to yellow, variegated or blue-foliage plants.

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