Combo Chef: Silver Sensation

Benary created a sparkling combination highlighting some of its silvery selections.

Pentas lanceolata ‘Northern Lights Lavender’ is placed in the center with Eucalyptus gunnii ‘Silver Drop’ towering above it. Rounding out the combo is Cerastium tomentosum ‘Silver Carpet,’ Nassella tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ and Alchemilla mollis ‘Thriller.’

Fertilize ‘Northern Lights Lavender’ at 100-150 parts per million nitrogen in a well-balanced mix and maintain pH levels between 6.5 and 6.8. Pentas roots release hydrogen ions into the medium, which will drop the pH to toxic levels if not monitored and adjusted if necessary. Grow on at 64°F-67°F.

For ‘Silver Drop,’ use a well-drained growing substrate with 15-30 percent clay and up to 15 percent perlite. Maintain a pH from 5.8-7.0. Fertilize weekly with 200-300 ppm nitrogen. High light intensity is required, but protect young plants with shade. Maintain temperatures at 61°F-63°F.

‘Silver Carpet’ requires temperatures between 54°F-57°F. Fertilize the plants weekly with 80-100 ppm nitrogen but don’t fertilize after mid-September. Maintain a pH of 5.5-7.0. It’s a long-day plant.

‘Pony Tails’ grows best in a sandy grit medium with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Grow at 50°F-58°F and protect against deep frost. It’s a low to moderate feeder. Keep the pots constantly moist, and spray them with a fungicide after planting.

Grow ‘Thriller’ in a well-drained perennial substrate and maintain a pH of 5.8-6.5. ‘Thriller’ is a long-day plant. Start in spring with supplemental lighting. Grow at 54°F-60°F. Fertilize in spring with 80-100 ppm nitrogen.

For more: Ernst Benary of America Inc., (815) 895-6705; www.benary.com.

Production

Eucalyptus gunnii ‘Silver Drop’: Well-drained growing medium with pH of 5.8-7.0; high light intensity; temperatures of 61°F-63°F.

Cerastium tomentosum ‘Silver Carpet’: Light feeder; pH of 5.5-7.0; long days; temperatures of 54°F-57°F.

Pentas lanceolata ‘Northern Lights Lavender’: Temperatures of 64°F-67°F; pH of 6.5-6.8; low magnesium levels cause leaf puckering.

Nassella tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’: Sandy medium with a pH of 6.0-7.5; temperatures of 50°F-58°F; moderate feeder.

{sidebar id=1}

Alchemilla mollis ‘Thriller’: Long days; light feeder; well-drained medium with pH of 5.8-6.5.