Mirabilis–commonly called four-o-clocks–is a bushy perennial sometimes grown as an annual. Fragrant, red, pink, magenta, yellow, or white flowers are borne on panicles over a long period in summer. In cold winter regions, four-o-clocks can be lifted and stored over the winter. Mirabilis is commonly called “four o’clocks” for their flowers’ habit of opening in […] More
Nicotiana, commonly called flowering tobacco, produces clusters of tubular-shaped, five-petaled flowers in green, white, cream, and several other colors. Flowers appear from summer to early fall and are long-blooming. Nicotiana is an upright perennial grown commonly grown as an annual. Most nicotianas have large, oval, mid-green leaves. Some cultivars are a foot and a half […] More
Tagetes–commonly called marigolds–bear yellow, orange, red, or mahogany flowers from summer to early fall. The marigold is a tender annual. African marigolds and French marigolds are commonly grown in summer gardens. African marigolds grow 2 to 4 feet (61-122cm) tall. French marigolds grow just 6 to 12 inches (15-30cm) tall. Marigolds flowers can be simple […] More
Celosia–commonly called cockscomb–is a brilliant-colored, plumy perennial usually grown as an annual. Celosia flowers are fiery shades of red, pink, orange, or yellow. Use Celosia as an edging along walkways or mass them for a blaze of color in beds and borders. Celosia flowers can be silkily plumed or rippled (crested). The rippled flowers give […] More
Tropaeolum–commonly called nasturtium–are grown for their brightly colored, trumpet-shaped flowers. Nasturtiums are tender perennials commonly grown as summer annuals. Some nasturtiums are bushy, some are sprawling, and some are climbing. Nasturtiums add quick color to mixed borders, hanging baskets and containers, or trellises. Leaves vary from bright green to blue-green depending on the variety. Flower […] More
Lathyrus–commonly called sweet pea–are a rainbow of colors; some grow as bushes, others as vines climbing arches and trellises. The pea-like sweet pea flowers are dainty, fragrant, and showy. Flowers grow from long, winged stems, often with tendrils. In mild-winter regions, plant sweet peas in late summer for early winter blooms. In cold-winter regions, plant […] More
Gomphrena–commonly called globe amaranth–is grown for its bright-colored upright spikes of clover-like flowerheads. The flowers are composed of dense clusters of stiff, papery bracts. Flower colors include shrimp, orange, rose, magenta, and purple. Gomphrena blooms from summer to frost. It is a showy addition to sunny flower borders and rock gardens. It’s also a traditional […] More
Pentas is a lush perennial that can grow as a shrub in tropical regions. Stems are topped by tight 4-inch (10cm) wide clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in white, pink, lilac, or red. One species, Pentas lanceolata, is often grown as a houseplant. Pentas leaves are oval to lance-shaped and mid-green. Flowers are salver-form with […] More
Calceolaria bears vividly colored and unusual pouched flowers that are reminiscent of old-fashioned pocketbooks—thus the common name pocketbook plant. Calceolaria is native to Central and South America and is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant except in warm-winter Zones 10 and 11 and warmer. The genus includes about 500 species of annuals and perennials that […] More
Dimorphotheca is a shrubby tender perennial that bears solitary, daisylike flowers carried atop leafless stems from midsummer to fall. Dimorphotheca is commonly known as African daisy or Cape marigold. It is closely related to Osteospermum, another genus of plants also known as the African daisy. Taxonomists once classified Osteospermum as Dimorphotheca. Dimorphotheca is free-flowering and […] More
The Amethyst flower, Browallia, is a shade-loving perennial usually grown as an annual. Browallia most often with sapphire-blue flowers. Combine browallia with other shade-loving border or woodland plants. In the winter bring browallia indoors as a houseplant. Browallia grows from 12 to 18 inches tall. It is used best in the blue section of the […] More
Schizanthus is a tender annual that bears clusters of tubular, two-lipped orchidlike flowers in colors of pink, purple, white, and yellow, with bright yellow contrasts. The flowers of Schizanthus are often compared to various butterflies and orchids—thus the common names “butterfly flower’ and “poor man’s orchid”. Schizanthus grows best where summers are cool, where night […] More
Stephen Albert