Alternanthera dentata 'Royal Tapestry'

RHS Plant Profile

joyweed 'Royal Tapestry'

Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse

'Royal Tapestry' is an evergreen perennial which may be grown under glass, or as a bedding plant. The foliage is dark green flushed with purple and bronze, with brighter purple undersides. Insignificant white flowers are produced in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Alternathera are bushy annuals and perennials with colourful leaves and insignificant flowers
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Outdoors plant out after any risk of frost has passed in moist, well-drained soil in full sun for best leaf colour, or semi-shade

Propagation

Divide in spring or take softwood cuttings in late summer, overwintering young plants in a warm greenhouse

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Clip over to maintain compactness

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free