Imagine: “My perennial garden looks bare and empty by September,” he said.

“It doesn’t have to be that way,” she said.

“Don’t talk to me about fall-flowering perennials,” he said, “I don’t have room for any more plants.”

“Not true,” she said. “You just don’t have room for any more perennials. But your garden could be blazin’ at the end of the season.”

“Blazin?” he asked. “What on earth does that mean.”

“You need Iresine, planted in between the perennials early in the season,” she answered. “Blazin’ Rose and Blazin’ Lime would add late season color once your daylilies, peonies and other plants are finished and cut down.”

“I guess I’d better get blazin’…” he said with a smile. “Whatever that means.”

Name: Iresine hybrid, Blazin’ Rose and Blazin’ Lime – commonly called bloodleaf.

Type of Plant: A large growing annual that is dramatic and showy. Related to the smaller houseplant with bright pink leaves, but this plant grows 18 to 30 inches tall and wide. Big and bold!

Why I love this plant: I love Iresine because it is a bold, dramatic foliage plant that can be planted in between perennials for late-season color. It is also perfect in very large containers.

A Word to the Wise: If you want this plant to be full and bushy, pinch the very ends as it grows early in the season. But if you want it to sort of weave in between other plants, pinch the tips once before planting and then leave it alone. Plant with some time-release fertilizer.

This Blazin rose is planted where peonies grow. It was tucked in between the peonies when they were still in flower in June, but in August when the peonies were cut down the Iresine comes into its own and fills the space.

Use Blazin Lime where you want that exotic mix of yellow leaves and pink stems.

Blazin Rose Iresine looks great with plants with purple foliage too.