Any idea what this is?

[JPlovesflowers]

I saw this low-growing foliage at the Kaufmann Memorial Gardens in Kansas City this weekend. I tried describing it and searching on google with no results. Any ideas? The foliage that borders the center I believe is lettuce. They had all types of ornamental lettuces planted as borders, what a great idea!
https://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll23/jplovesflowers/DSCI0014.jpg

[bullthistle]

From a distance it looks like your annual begonia surrounded by lettuce.

[JPlovesflowers]

Unless it's a new variety of begonia that I've never seen before, I don't think that is what it is. The pink color is actually the variegation on the leaf....I've never seen anything quite like it, although the leaf looks familiar. I'm still stumped.

[Jess]

Found it!
It is a Alternanthera 'Party Time'.
Very pretty.
https://www.lakelandgov.net/ParkRec/Parks/hollisgardenflowers.html

Scroll down until you find it.

[JPlovesflowers]

You're a genius, Jess...now to find some that I can plant. I think I've seen this plant in a different variety before, I need to do some research and see if it's the same one I'm thinking of, if so, it may be impossible to find.

[Jess]

You're a genius, Jess...now to find some that I can plant. I think I've seen this plant in a different variety before, I need to do some research and see if it's the same one I'm thinking of, if so, it may be impossible to find.

No I am not. I just typed 'Variegated pink leaves' into Google and it came up as the first image.
I do hope you manage to find it. The leaf variegation is so unusual. I love the way they planted it with the lettuce. Very original. I wonder who gets to eat it when they change the display.

[JPlovesflowers]

This is the from the family that I suspected (Alternanthera ficoidea (Calico Plant, Joseph's Coat). The mall here where we live used another lime green variety of this plant last year in mass plantings and we loved it but couldn't find them anywhere. Located them this year and by the time I went back they had sold out. Maybe these will be more available in the future. I loved the lettuce idea as well, they used the green flat leaf, like you see in the picture and a ruffled red variety as borders in between masses of violas. I am considering underplanting my roses with the lettuce and parsley to create some interesting designs and also to have fresh greens all summer. I don't have the space for a traditional vegetable garden, and I'm always looking for a good way to incorporate them with my flowers.

[Jess]

I am considering underplanting my roses with the lettuce and parsley to create some interesting designs and also to have fresh greens all summer. I don't have the space for a traditional vegetable garden, and I'm always looking for a good way to incorporate them with my flowers.

Lettuce and parsley under roses would be very novel. You must post pictures.
I too do not have a traditional vege plot but plant edibles in my borders. My neighbour came round with some leftover broad bean plants he had no room for. They are now planted in a shrub border at the top of my garden on the sunny side. I have globe artichokes next to my pond and rhubarb at the end of a bed next to ground cover Campanula a Sambucus and some dwarf Narcissi. The foliage looks very exotic as do the flower spikes in August. I find veges do very well just mixed in with ornamentals. I am planning on planting french beans in with my clematis this year and see how that works......
I think I should I start a thread on this subject. I would be interested to know what other people grow in this way.

[JPlovesflowers]

I grew tomatoes and peppers with my zinnias when I lived in Virginia. My parents and grandparents were huge vegetable gardeners, (parents still are).
As a matter of fact, my mom will not vacation in the summer anymore as it interferes with her gardening! Both of them started flower gardening after I got into it, but they are crazy when it comes to vegetables. I have always wanted a huge veggie garden, but we have lived in town since I've been married and have not have the space, maybe one of these days. My husband told me when we were newly married that he would not move to the country with me because I would work him to death like my mom does my dad......I'm hoping he'll get over that sentiment one of these days. I will post photos soon. I just had 3 trees replaced that died from a terrible freeze, and should be well on my way to getting finished with planting soon. I think your idea for a new thread is wonderful. I look forward to reading the ideas of others, I have learned so much already this spring.