Annual blue salvia, Salvia farinacea, produces spikes of small purple-blue flowers from midsummer to fall. Annual blue salvia is sometimes called mealycup sage. The plant is an upright perennial often grown as an annual. Leaves are lance-shaped. Annual blue salvia has the best effect when planted in drifts in beds and borders. More than one […] More
Salvias are grown for their showy spikes of flowers. Flowers are 2-lipped–the upper lips erect and hooded, the lower ones are toothed and spreading. Flowers can be tubular to bell- or funnel-shaped in a wide range of colors. Salvias make up a large genus of popular garden plants. There are many species of half-hardy annuals […] More
There are many types of phlox. All are known for their showy flower clusters. There are tall-growing phlox that can be used as border plants and there are dwarf-growing varieties that can be used in rock gardens and as edging plants along paths. Most phlox species are perennials; the annual species Phlox drummondii is perhaps […] More
Salpiglossis—commonly called painted tongue–is a cool-summer annual with colorful marbled or streaked flowers. Salpiglossis blooms come in shades of mahogany, red, reddish-orange, yellow, purple, and pink. Salpiglossis is loose to densely branched with sticky leaves and stems. It grows 24 to 36 inches (61-91cm) tall. Plant Salpiglossis as a border background plant or use it […] More
Portulaca–commonly called moss rose–produces single or double, satin-textured, rose-pink, red, yellow, or white flowers to 1 inch (2.5cm) across in summer. Flowers typically open only in bright sunlight. Portulaca is an old-fashioned favorite. It flourishes in sunny, dry areas where few other plants will grow. Flowers open fully in sun and close in the late […] More
Radishes are one of the easiest crops to grow. The radish is a cool-weather crop. Harvest radishes in spring or fall for the best flavor and texture. Radish is ready to eat as few as three weeks after sowing seeds. It is easy to understand why radishes are a favorite of home gardeners. Spring radishes […] More
Plant spinach in cool weather. It is well suited for the spring and autumn gardens. Plant spinach before the weather warms in spring and again as the weather cools in early autumn. (When days lengthen in late spring and the weather becomes dry and hot, spinach bolts and stops making new leaves.) Spinach can be […] More
New Zealand spinach is a perennial grown as a warm-weather annual. Plant New Zealand spinach in the warm part of the year when regular spinach will not grow. The two plants are not related but can be used fresh or cooked in the same way. New Zealand spinach is a warm-season leafy green that should […] More
Malabar spinach is a warm-season leafy crop that can be used as a hot-weather substitute for spinach and lettuce. You can follow an early spring crop of spinach or lettuce with a planting of Malabar spinach. Malabar spinach is a vining plant with thick, succulent, edible leaves. It is often compared to spinach, but it […] More
Torenia–commonly called wishbone flower– is a bushy annual with serrated light green leaves and, from summer to early fall, flared blooms with bi-color blossoms pale lilac and blue-purple, yellow and white, or rose and white petals. Torenia looks like miniature gloxinias or monkeyflowers (Mimulus). Torrenia fournieri is often grown in summer bedding. Set Torenia at […] More
Melampodium–commonly called butter daisy–has white-rayed, cream, or yellow daisy-like ray flowers with dark orange centers. Melampodium is a bushy plant with narrow bright green to gray-green leaves. The plant can become floppy as it matures. Melampodium is an excellent choice as a summer bedding plant where deer are a problem; it is deer resistant. The […] More
Sutera–commonly called bacopa–forms a cascade of small white or pale pink blooms and green leaves. It flowers all summer if lightly watered and fed well. Bacopa is a spreading perennial grown as an annual. It trails over the sides of containers and window boxes. Bacopa is the common name for Sutera cordata which synonymous with […] More
Stephen Albert