The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com.

Common names stem from leaves

When I described these lovely plants to my friend, Janet, she called them "bloodleaf plants."

When we looked for them online, we discovered they are also called the "beefsteak," "Formosa bloodleaf," "beetroot" and "chicken gizzard" plants.

Really? Why these very different names?

The various names have to do with the colors and shapes of the leaves.

Exotic treasures now today's garden plants

Iresines were beloved in the late 19th century, when they were grown in conservatories and heated greenhouses as exotic treasures.

Victorian gardeners also used them as colorful summer bedding plants.

After World War II, colorful tropical plants regained popularity, and the iresine reappeared in private and public gardens.

They are classified as annuals or tropical and tender perennials.

• Appearance

The iresine bloodleaf plants are native to Brazil, where they thrive in bright light and warm temperatures.

In an ideal environment, bloodleaf plants can grow up to 60 inches tall and have a spread up to 36 inches. When grown as potted plants they tend to be smaller, growing from 12 to 24 inches tall.

They have been described as colorful, hardy and tough. Iresine can be a striking addition to landscapes in the Crossroads area.

• Red and lime-green leaf varieties

The iresine bloodleaf plants have brilliant leaves and pinkish red stems. Their red leaves are often variegated with dark green and white markings. The lime-green leaves can have dark yellow or white markings and striking pinkish-red stems. They will grow in full sun, partial sun or shade.

The most vivid colors are generally achieved in bright light. Last year, both my red and lime iresine bloodleaf plants did well from spring until the first freeze with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Planting suggestions

Plant iresine in the spring after the last frost so the soil stays warm both day and night. For the brightest colors, plant it in full sun in an organically rich, well-draining soil. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers that could encourage soft growth and a dilution in foliage color.

For best results, keep the soil evenly moist all summer with deep watering every week. To prevent evaporation, use a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch. Although iresine plants need less water in the fall and winter, do not let the soil dry out.

• Pinch growth tips/flower buds for dense foliage

To promote an attractive shape and dense leaf growth, pinch out the growth tips while the plants are young. Most growers also pinch off flower buds because the iresine flowers are not attractive and supporting flowers detracts from growing dense foliage.

• Protect from winter

In the Crossroads area, you need to bring iresine plants indoors in the winter and treat them like houseplants. They will do well in a loamy, soil-based potting mixture and placed in a sunny place. If the plant becomes leggy, it probably isn't getting enough light.

• Propagate from stem cuttings

Iresine plants are easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Select a 4- to 6-inch stem with at least two buds. One will form new roots, while the other bud will make new leaves. Put the stem in a glass of water for a couple of weeks until small, whitish roots form. Then, plant them in pots or in the garden.

Last summer, while pruning my lime iresine, I stuck some healthy stems with a few leaves in the pot. They grew. The mother plant branched and grew taller and fuller, and the cuttings filled in the lower area.

Another more scientific approach would be to propagate by creating a mini "greenhouse" effect as described in the adjoining material to this column.

A sterilized setting is created when potted cuttings are placed in a liter-size plastic bottle, misted, closed up and put in a sunny window. Refer to the included information for more details.

• Prune during growing season

It's best to prune iresine in the summer during its growing season. In the fall and winter, it needs to rest.

If you aren't familiar with this uniquely named plant and want color in your yard, patio or home, I urge you to try any one of the iresines.