Annuals
Annual plants are those that complete their life cycle in one year. They live from spring until the first frost of autumn. Annuals are widely used in landscape designs to add vibrant
colour and to accent colour and texture of other trees, shrubs, and stones.
tip Buying Spring Annuals: Many spring annuals are fertilized heavily in the growing process to promote abundant flowering so that they are more attractive to the consumer. The
problem with this is that the plants root system does not have the chance to develop as fast as the plant or the flower. With very little root system, it can be difficult to transplant
and start your garden at home. To protect yourself and reap the benefits of good plant selection, don't assume that the plant with the most flowers is the best choice. Additionally,
before you buy your annuals at your garden center, try lifting one plant out of the cell pak it is grown in to see if it has a vast root system.
How to Plant Annuals
- Prepare flower beds to a depth of 12 _ using good soil a mixture of compost, manure and peat moss (or TripleMix)
- Gently loosen the roots on each plant as your remove it from the cell pack.
- Water thoroughly and fertilize each plant with 5-15-5 plant starter.
- Keep the beds well watered for the first 2 weeks until the plants are rooted.
- Feed once a week with soluble fertilizer 15-30-15 or 20-20-20.
- In choosing and placing annuals, consider their needs for sun or shade
- As the flowers diminish, pinch or "dead-head" the flowers by nipping or cutting back. This will promote more growth.
ANNUALS AND THEIR USES
Window Boxes and Planters
- Asparagus Fern
- Alyssum
- Dwarf Snapdragon
- Fibrous Begonia
- Impatiens
- Geranium
- German Ivy
- Draceana Indivisa (spike)
- Lobelia
- Nasturtium
- Petunia
- Phlox Drummondi
- Marigold
- Dusty Miller
- Verbena
- Vinca Rosea
- Vinca Major
- Viola
- Pansy
Edging Flower Beds
- Ageratum
- Alyssum
- Dwarf Marigold
- Dusty Miller
- Lobelia
- Nasturtium
- Pansy
- Verbena
- Vinca Rosea
Shady Locations
- Ageratum
- Clarkia
- Coleus
- Begonia
- Impatiens
- Lobelia
- Mirabilis
- Nicotiana
- Pansy
Vines
- Asparagus Fern
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- German Ivy
- Sweet Pea
- Thumbergia
- Wandering Jew
Low Plants
- Alyssum
- Ageratum
- Candy Tuft
- French Marigold
- Dusty Miller
- Lobelia
- Nasturtium
- Pansy
- Viola
- Phlox Drummondi
- Portulaca
- Sanvitalia
- Verbena
Medium Height Plants
- Snapdragon
- Calendula
- California Poppy
- Coreopsis
- Coleus
- Celosia
- Marigold
- Petunia
- Salvia Farinacea
- Salvia Splendens
- Zinnia
Tall Plants
- African Marigold
- Amaranthus
- Castor Bean
- Cleome
- Canna
- Cosmos
- Datura
- Heliotrope
- Kochia
- Nicotiana
- Scabiosa
- Sunflower
- Tithonia
For Fragrance
- Stocks
- Carnation
- Scented Geranium
- Sweet Alyssum
For Rock Gardens
- Linaria
- Lobelia
- Portulaca
- Alyssum
- Verbena
- Viola
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