Annuals you will be growing again

flattie_2008

15 years ago

Interested to hear what everyone is going to be planting this year. My list is fairly short.

1. NG Impatiens. Will definitely be increasing the amount I plant this year because they're such dependable performers with low maintenance and interesting foliage variations.

2. Coleus. Black dragon will be returning as well as another undetermined variety. Depends on what strikes my fancy when they arrive. Playing up foliage contrasts is a huge factor in my garden now, and I love that all these babies require is a little pinch from time to time.

3. Nicotiana. Back when I had the garden beds and the space to justify growing from seed I used to grow several varieties. I'm fond of them, so I was happy to find one place last year that offered 'perfume bright rose' from a boutique grower. Hope they make a return this year since I planted them amongst my ripening daff foliage and they made a nice accent statement.

4. Marigolds. I've avoided them for the past few years because the bloom colors didn't work well with my overall 'softer' color scheme. Since I let my husband pick this year's dahlia (a red and yellow cactus type) this changes my options and it's time to bring this dependable workhorse back to my garden. Also, since there are more variations in height with marigolds, I may be able to avoid the need for trailers like wave petunias.

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Comments (10)

ei_ei_o
15 years ago
Imaptients
Coleus
Snapdragons
nasturtiums
morning glories
zinnias
marigolds
allysum
heliotrope
littleum
15 years ago
Torina (Wishbone flowers) - last year they kept on blooming even during the week of 110+ day temps and 95+ night temps. My flowerbeds have terrible drainage and they didn't mind the wet feet.

Allysum - it stops blooming in the summer heat but stays green if kept very watered.
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Everyone PLEASE keep posting pictures!!! I love them and get so many ideas. Keep this thread alive with photos!! Tracey, your petunias look like a Salmon or Pink Morn variety, and those colors within the plant are smashing together. I will order some of that seed, as I have been sticking with Chiffon Morn every year (also a great petunia). Patricia, thanks for posting the Lamium based containers,as I always forget about Lamium. I have a brand new 100 by 15 foot raised bed bordering our property that is shaded and I am deciding what all to use to trail over the railroad ties we used to build it up. We are quite lucky, got all those railroad ties, limestone screenings, and 3 loads of topsoil for FREE. It should have cost us thousands to do this. Lamium will be a great addition. I wish I could help everyone grow great regular old petunias. The problems I always find are: 1. Not planted in full sun 2. Not deadheading 3. Not watering regularly 4. Not planting enough together. Most people buy those petunias and just stick one here or there. This will NOT make an impact at all. You have to remember that petunias are kinda "vinelike", and need to intertwine with each other. You cannot expect one plant to do all the work, it will not happen!! Next year, plant your regular petunias about 6 inches apart, not all in a streight line side by side. Do them in rows 4 inches apart. Do several rows. Make each petunia planting a huge mound of them, not just one plant. Deadhead them every single day, at least once. Keep the @#$%& rabbits out of them as best you can. I find the biggest problem with annual Salvias is that they were never pinched when young. If you bring home your plant, pinch off the bloom, including the stem down the center of the plant. Fertilize regularly and within about 3 weeks, your Salvias will have branched out, all the way down the plant, and have several blooms that will keep coming all season long. If you dont pinch the center of the plant, it will just be one flower, with a few tiny flowers at the bottom (if you are lucky). Try doing this next year!! I understand what you are saying about the Salvia, I have made the same mistakes in the past, everything I hear about everything, been there, done that. And, plant several Salvias together, just as the petunias, with proper plant spacing. Spacing too far apart will not look nice. Just keep on trying!! And keep taking pictures!!
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sarahbarah27
15 years ago
Linaria
Nasturtium
Mimulus(Monkey Flower)
3 types of Petunias
Angels Trumpet
Calendula
Zinnia
Snapdragons
Enchantment Morning Glory
+more TBD

All from seed, some are new to me this year, I can't wait!!!
FrozeBudd_z3/4
15 years ago
The following are varieties most of which I've continued to grow for several years.

Amaranthus ÂVelvet CurtainsÂ, ÂTowers RedÂ, ÂFat SpikeÂ, ÂAutumn PaletteÂ, ÂPigmy TorchÂ Â I LOVE amaranthus!
Ageratum ÂLeilani BlueÂ
Castor bean ÂNew Zealand Kiwi RedÂ
Chrysanthemum ÂPrimrose GemÂ
Datura ÂEvening FragranceÂ
Dianthus ÂStrawberry ParfiatÂ, 'Dynasty Rose Lace'
Evening Scented Stocks
'Fiesta' and 'Peaches and Cream' hollyhocks
Foxy Foxglove
Fragrant Cloud Nicotiana
Jubilee Marigolds, many others
Snapdragon ÂCinnamon BronzeÂ, ÂLight Pink ButterflyÂ
Rudbeckia, several types
Zinnia Magellan Mixed
Many types of sunflowers and sweetpeas

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Light Pink Butterfly

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Dynasty Rose Lace diantus

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omniphasic
15 years ago
We will be facing strict water rationing here in California this summer,so I won't be planting as many Annuals as I usually do.But I will definitely be growing 'Cosmic Red' Cosmos again- Blooms non stop for months and they look amazing mixed in with my Cactus and Succulent collection.
trowelgal Zone 5A, SW Iowa
15 years ago
Alyssum
Profusion Zinnias in 4 colors
cutting Zinnias
Dahlias
moss rose
ageratum
herbs
mediterranian vinca

Trowelgal
sarahbarah27
15 years ago
OMNIPHASIC...if you have water restrictions in your area, why not try and collect rain water? I started doing this last year and had more water than I knew what to do with!!! I just made 'rain barrels' out of trash cans I bought, and put them under my down spouts. After each rain(even very light ones) I had plenty of water in the buckets.

Sarah
mindysuewho
15 years ago
Some of the larger coleus (I just love these, they mix with other flowers so well)
Four o'clocks
Nasturtiums
Castor Bean
Dragon Wing Begonia (can't say enough good about these. They require very little care and never stop putting on a great show.)
Heavenly Blue Morning Glory (have tried other varieties but these are the best!)
holtzclaw
15 years ago
I had a neighbor who was surprised by the amount of water collected from the outside drip of an air conditioner.
v1rt
15 years ago
twrosz, those are very lovely plants! Do you folks direct sow them all? I'm so so jealous! I hope I can achieve it too this year.

Annuals you will be growing again

Comments (10)

ei_ei_o

littleum

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