I’ve always said that you can get some of the biggest landscape impact using bright foliage. As we race into the autumn season, I highly recommend getting a couple of colorful croton plants. Crotons are tropical plants with striking foliage that make great landscape plants that love the heat and humidity of our summers. Now being tropical means that crotons don’t like temperatures below 60 degrees, which is no problem in our summer season. However, croton make great container plants, which makes it much easier to bring inside for cold temperature protection and still enjoy the great colors. Growing requirements are pretty easy. Grow in the full sun to intensify the bright colors, feed with 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer once a month and maintain consistent soil moisture. Here are a few pretty selections. Petra croton is one of the most common varieties, but definitely not ordinary. The large slightly oval leaves are green with various veining and variegations of bold reds, oranges and yellows. Gold Dust croton has beautiful vibrant green foliage and looks like someone has splashed random patterns golden yellow paint on them. Mammy croton is gorgeous with its curly strapped-shaped foliage. The coloration of the foliage has shades of red, green, purple, and bright yellow. So, when you’re going to your local independent garden center pick up a couple of crotons to complete your autumnal decorations. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.
