Gaillardias are short-lived perennials and annuals grown for their long-lasting brightly colored daisy-like flowers that appear from summer into early fall. Gaillardias bear single and double flowers in shades of red, red-orange, maroon, and yellow. There are about 30 species of Gaillardias. They are native to central and western North America. Most Gaillardias grown in […] More
Love-lies-bleeding, Amaranthus, is a heavy-looking plant with brilliant cascading flowers. The ropey, tassel-like flowers fall from the top of the plant. Blossoms last as long as 8 weeks. Love-lies-bleeding is easy to grow. The poorer the soil the more brilliant the foliage of amaranthus; soil too fertile will result in disappointing foliage. Amaranthus grows readily […] More
Centaurea cyanus–commonly called Bachelor’s button or cornflower–is a hardy annual and member of the Centaurea genus which includes dusty miller and mountain bluet. Bachelor’s-button is one of the most popular annuals with its bright blue tufted round blossoms. Centaurea cyanus is a bushy plant with grayish-green, lance-shaped leaves, and dense thistle-like flower heads. It grows […] More
Dianthus–commonly called garden pinks–are bushy upright plants with lance-shaped leaves and domed heads of sweet-scented flowers that bloom pink, red, burgundy, white, or bicolored in summer. Garden pinks are a mainstay of cottage garden beds. The term “pinks” is an archaic common name for the Dianthus species. There are many dianthus species. Three commonly grown […] More
Consolida–commonly called larkspur looks very much like delphinium; they are members of the same genus. Larkspur has spurred, delphinium-like flower stalks in pink, blue, or white rising above feathery, softly downy, mid-to-dark green leaves. Larkspur is a favorite choice for cottage gardens and annual borders. Larkspur is the name commonly applied to the annual species […] More
Lobularia–commonly called sweet alyssum–has fragrant white blooms from late spring to early fall. Sweet alyssum is a ground-hugging perennial, grown as an annual. It has narrow mid-green leaves and is considered invasive in some areas. Lobularia maritima is a perennial but is generally grown as an annual. The plants grow 4 to 10 inches tall. […] More
Snapdragons, Antirrhinum, are known for their colorful, upright spikes of fragrant flowers in a wide range of bright and pastel colors. Snapdragon cultivars include some that grow just a half foot tall and others that grow to 6 feet (182cm) tall. Tall and intermediate-sized Antirrhnum provide vertical color and accents in the garden. Dwarf forms […] More
Calendulas are the cool-season cousins of summer marigolds. These easy-to-grow annuals are nicknamed “pot marigolds” because they resemble marigolds and the leaves were once cooked in pots as a vegetable. Calendulas can be readily grown from seed. The large seeds are easy to handle and plant and they germinate quickly. Use calendulas in beds and […] More
Polyanthus primrose is a tender semi-evergreen hybrid perennial that produces single blossoms or umbels of up to 20 flowers in spring. Polyanthus primroses are often called English primroses. Polyantha or English primroses are widely hybridized and cultivated. There are many cultivars and strains widely available at garden centers and nurseries. Polyantha primroses are often listed […] More
Pelargonium is a genus of tender perennials that includes the popular garden plant widely known as geranium. The best-known Pelargoniums go by the common names zonal geraniums, ivy-leaved geraniums, and regal or Martha Washington geraniums. Pelargoniums also include scented-leaved geraniums. Pelargoniums are often grown as annuals. They are native to South Africa and cannot tolerate […] More
Most annual flowers are frost-tender. Annual seeds should be sown outdoors after the last average frost date in spring. To get a head start on the season, seeds can be started indoors, and young plants can be set in the garden after the last frost. Young plants of annuals started indoors should be hardened off […] More
Annuals live their life in one season. They bring bursts of color to the garden. A mixture of annuals with perennials, shrubs, and groundcovers creates an interplay of texture and color. Annuals can be started from seed, or they can be bought in containers and flat already in flower. Use annuals to fill in bare […] More
Stephen Albert