A Desirable Summer Border Idea with Grasses, Dahlias and Amaranth

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Fall Borders

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Summer Border, Fall Border, Pennisetum thunbergii, Fountain Grass, Dahlia Bishop of Oxford, Amaranthus Velvet Curtains, Purple Amaranth, Dahlia Karma, Dahlia Classic

Designed for late summer and fall interest, this bold plant combination can be easily replicated in many sunny garden situations. It includes a few spectacular ingredients, such as the elegant, rosy-red feathery flowers of Pennisetum thunbergii ‘Red Buttons’ (Fountain Grass), hot and vibrant Dahlias, and the particularly stunning, dark crimson plumes and red colored foliage of Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ (Purple Amaranth).

Fabulous looking and low care, this attractive late season is a great way of ending the season with a bang of color. Most plants make excellent cut flowers that can be pleasantly enjoyed at home. Enjoy!

Garden Information

Hardiness	8 - 10
Heat Zones	8 - 11
Climate Zones	1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Plants In This Garden

Amaranthus cruentus 'Velvet Curtains' (Purple Amaranth)

Exotic-looking, award-winning Amaranthus cruentus ‘Velvet Curtains’ is a vigorous annual or biennial plant with erect, dark crimson plumes and stunning, ovate, red colored foliage.

Hardiness	2 - 11
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Dahlia 'Bishop of Oxford'

Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’ is a beautiful addition in the garden thanks to the stunning contrast of its brilliant, coppery orange flowers atop its eggplant-colored foliage.

Hardiness	8 - 11
Plant type	Bulbs, Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy

Dahlia 'Karma Irene'

Try tearing your eyes away from Dahlia Karma Irene’s profusion of spectacular, glowing orange-red flowers with a golden heart! Especially suited for cutting, this Dahlia has an outstanding vase life (7-12 days). The fully double flowers, up to 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm), rise atop sturdy stems and are not top-heavy. They remain standing up nice and straight even when it rains.

Hardiness	8 - 11
Plant type	Bulbs, Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy

Pennisetum thunbergii 'Red Buttons' (Fountain Grass)

Noted for its elegant, rosy-red feathery flowers, Pennisetum thunbergii ‘Red Buttons’ (Fountain Grass) is a graceful, deciduous grass that forms a compact, upright clump of narrow grassy leaves. In late summer, showy, elongated, red flower plumes are produced at the tips of long graceful stems. They rise high above the foliage, arching upward or outward, and gradually fade to buff as they mature.

Hardiness	8 - 11
Plant type	Ornamental Grasses
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy

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Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) Dahlia Amaranthus (Amaranth)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Dahlia ‘Apricot Desire’

Dahlia ‘Classic Elise’

Dahlia ‘Karma Bon Bini’

Pennisetum villosum (Feathertop Grass)

©Clive Nichols

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.