Annual flowers from the garden can be cut for artistic arrangement and enjoyment in the home. Annuals grown from seed will flower in the time of one season or year. Annuals come to us from almost all parts of the world. Most are highly adaptable and will provide bloom and fragrance from early spring to […] More
There are many flowering annuals that don’t need much moisture to look great. They have adapted to environments with hot sunny conditions or prolonged dry spells. If drought or water restrictions are common where you live, choose plants that can get along without ample water. Grow drought-tolerant plants to make your garden less water-dependent. They […] More
Deer-resistant plants are plants deer tend to not eat. If deer are hungry enough they will eat practically any kind of plant. This list includes annuals, perennials, and bulbs that deer have turned away from in many gardens; there is no guarantee they will not eat them in your garden. As a general rule, deer […] More
Fragrant annuals and perennials bring delight to the garden. In planting fragrant annuals and perennials consider first the place and circumstance. Choose annuals and perennials that will grow in your climate, then consider whether the plant will thrive in the sun or shade in the spot you have in mind, then consider the flower color […] More
Drought tolerant annuals and perennials are plants that can withstand dry soil after their roots are established. No plant is drought-resistant until it become established. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted. Once a plant is established and has a deep root system, it requires less water. Annuals and perennials started […] More
Annuals are plants that bloom in the same year that they are planted. A hardy annual is an annual plant that can tolerate frost and its seeds can tolerate a cold winter. The seeds of hardy annuals can be sown in the open garden in early spring or autumn. The seeds of hardy annuals can […] More
Callistephus–commonly called China asters–are big frilly flowers in shades of red, pink, white, lavender-blue, and purple. Low-growing asters can be used as edging, taller ones of cutting. China asters bloom from late summer to frost. China asters belong to one of two distinct genera of plants both of which are members of the daisy family. […] More
Chinese forget-me-not, botanical name Cynoglossum, bears pendents of sky-blue, sometimes white, or pale pink flowers in late summer. Chinese-forget-me-not is a slow-growing upright and somewhat bushy annual or biennial. Cynoglossums include about 55 species of annuals, biennials, and short-lived perennials. The sprays of small tubular to funnel-shaped flowers resemble forget-me-nots.Cynoglossums often have hairy or bristly […] More
Diascia–commonly called twinspur–produces spikes of pink to lilac flowers above heart-shaped tapering leaves from summer to fall. Twinspur is a great choice for growing in pots or the front of sunny beds or in containers. Diascia has erect or sprawling stems and racemes of tubular flowers with five lobes or ‘petals.’ The bottom lobe is […] More
Hedyotis is a large genus of mostly low-growing perennials and annuals. Hedyotis michauxii is a species often grown in gardens and as a houseplant. It is a low, creeping plant with sky-blue flowers — four, cross-shaped petals with a creamy yellow center. Other species of Hedyotis have white flowers. Hedyotis prefers warm soil and air […] More
Cosmos is an old-fashioned favorite that bears clouds of daisylike flowers on long stems above feathery foliage. Cosmos can be started from seed indoors and transplanted into the garden two or three weeks after the last frost in spring. It will bloom from late spring into autumn. Mass cosmos in large bands or groups in […] More
Poppy flowers–members of the Papaver genus–are bright additions to the summer garden. Poppy flowers bear solitary or double cup-shaped flowers from 2 to 4 inches (5-10cm) across. Flowers often have a crepe-papery texture. Colors can be white, yellow, pink, red, orange, salmon, and purple. There are annual and perennial poppy flowers. Best known are the […] More
Stephen Albert