Annual Flower Guide By Sue Adams
Introduction This booklet tells a little about the annual flowers we offer at Adams growth habit, which helps when planning for a container, light requirement (full sun, at least 6 hours per day), pollinators they attract, and those that deer don't like. Annual flowers are those that, yes, you have to plant every year. But these flowers bloom all summer long! Think about this...if you buy a cup of coffee, it lasts for just a little while. Spend the money on flowers, and the cost is just pennies a day. Studies have shown that people who look at flowers before starting their day are happier and more successful. Seems that flowers are a good investment. To those of you who are afraid of planting flowers because you have a black thumb, go ahead and try. No one has a black thumb you just haven't found the right plant. Pick an easy to grow flower, plant it, fertilize it (plant food flowers have to eat, too), water it (newbies can use the finger test - if the soil is wet, don't water, if dry, water thoroughly) and, most important, enjoy your new plant. Do you hesitate to plant annual flowers because they die from frost at end of season? Thank the plant for the beauty and enjoyment it gave you, then compost. The plant goes back to the earth so that we can start this wondrous cycle all over again, but perhaps with new plants and a different color scheme. Decorating with plants is exciting and rewarding. And the possibilities are endless! Take photos. They'll last forever! Sue Adams
Arican Daisy (See Osteospermum) Ageratum Height: 6-16 Mounds fills out the pot to Easy to grow, produces a steady show of powder-puff like flowers and is seldom bothered by pests. Great in beds and mixed containers. Alternathera Height: 10-16 Mounds & trails to Colorful, attractive burgundy red to maroon leaves add contrast to a mixed container or flower bed. Drought tolerant, low maintenance and loves the heat. Alyssum Height: 4-10 Mounds fills out the pot & trails to Low growing plant that produces a carpet of dainty, fragrant flowers. Flowers are white, purple, pink or mixed colors. Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) Height: 10-24 Accent or stand alone Large flowers on strong stems make this plant ideal for the landscape as well as containers. Superb heat tolerance. Argyranthemum (Marguerite) Height: 12-20, mounding Accent or stand alone Heat tolerant plants produce daisy-like flowers. Trim back once the flowers have bloomed to encourage new growth.
Bacopa (Sutera) Height: 6-8 Mounds and trails to Cascading stems are covered with delicate five petal flowers in white, pink or blue. Keep evenly watered for continuous bloom. Ideal for mixed containers and baskets. Begonia, Fibrous (Wax Begonia) Height: 8-28 Mounds fills out the pot to Easy to grow, begonias do well in a variety of conditions but like light shade the best. Available in green or bronze leaf and colors include red, white pink and rose Begonia, Big Height: 12-18 Mounds-- fills out the pot to The name says it all...big color, big performance, a winner in the landscape bed or container. Begonia, Winged Height: 12-15 Mounds to Mounding large plants produce extra large flowers and cool green leaves. Delivers great garden performance across a wide range of conditions. Begonia, Boliviensis Height: 12-16 Mounds and trails to Great vigor and strong branching makes these bright, showy plants perfect for baskets, containers or borders.
Bidens Height: 8-16 Mounds and/or trails (depends on variety) Produces star-shaped flowers atop fern-like foliage. Excellent in mixed containers and hanging baskets. Some varieties are fragrant. Browalia (Sapphire Flower) Height: 12-16 Mounds to Best grown in light shade, produces dainty star-shaped flowers in either blue or white. Use in baskets, containers or in the landscape. Caladium (Elephant Ear, Heart of Jesus, Angel Wings) Height: 6-36 to This tropical foliage plant with their spectacular multi-colored decorative leaves is a thriller in the landscape or container. Calendula Height: 10-16 to Produces large, bright, fully double flowers. Petals can be eaten raw or cooked. Calibrachoa (Million Bells) Height: 6-10 Trails and/or mounds (depending on variety) to The ultimate spiller for containers and baskets, million bells come in a wide assortment of colors from solids to stripes to bi-colors, the varieties offered are mind-boggling. Ample water and fertilizer will fuel its astounding growth. Treat with an iron supplement when the leaves turn a light green and you'll have the prettiest million bells in the neighborhood!
Calla Lily (Arum Lily, Trumpet Lily, Pig Lily) Height: 12-36 to Although not considered to be a true lily, the calla lily is an extraordinary flower with many colors to choose from. Its green leaves are shaped like arrow heads and have white or silver speckles. Use in flower beds or containers. Canna Height: 30-48 This bold tropical plant stands out in containers or the landscape where it will thrive in the heat. Cape Daisy (See Osteospermum) Cassia (Popcorn Plant) Height: 36 Loads of bright golden yellow blooms emerge from dramatic black buds. ub the leaves and enjoy the scent of buttered popcorn! Celosia (Feather Celosia) Height: 14 Gold, red and yellow are All-America Selections Winners for outstanding garden performance and dense flower plumes Celosia (Brain Celosia or Wool Flowers) Height: 12-28 Cineraria The unusual flower heads resemble rooster combs or convoluted brains. But don't let that description discourage you from trying this great plant. Wonderful specimen in flower beds and interesting accent in a container. Height: 12-24 Beautiful daisy-like flowers adorn this lovely plant.
Cleome (Spider Flower) Height: 12-48 This tall dramatic plant produces large balls of flowers with long seed pods that whirl away from the center. Stunning cleome make a great focal point in the back of a flower bed. Coleus Height: 12-36 to Cosmos These foliage plants are bold and versatile. Whether to grow in sun or shade depends on the variety but you'll find that many of the vegetative ones on the market can tolerate either. Check the tag for light requirement. Coleus is striking in both beds and containers. Height: 20-24 Easy to grow, produces showy cup-shaped daisy type flowers. Beautiful in flower beds. Cuphea Height: 18-28 Easy to grow, heat and humidity tolerant & definitely a hummingbird magnet! Use in the bed or container. Dahlia Height: 6-36 Gorgeous flowers come in a wide assortment of colors and bi-colors. Beautiful in the garden or containers.
Dianthus Height: 6-20 These cheery, fragrant annuals add a great dose of color to flower beds and containers. Dichondra Height: 2-4 Trails to Very drought and heat tolerant (used as a ground cover in places like Florida), dichondra makes a great trailer in a mixed basket or container. Dipladania Mandevilla Height: 12-24 Trails Although Dipladania is from the same family as Mandevilla, they're different in that dipladania foliage is somewhat smaller, and the plant is more shrub-like, but both vine or climb. Dorotheanthus (Mezoo, Aptenia) Height: 6-8 Trails Dracaena (Spike) Height: 24-36 This mat-forming succulent-like plant produces dainty, vibrant red flowers in late spring. Green leaves are accented with white to add interest and texture to containers or baskets. Works well as a ground cover and in the rock garden as well. to to This container classic adds height with long, deep-green fan foliage.
Dusty Miller Height: 10 to Bushy, uniform plants have finely cut, silvery white, velvety leaves. Great in garden beds and containers. Easy to grow. Can take a light frost and looks stunning in a white or night garden. Euphorbia Height: 10-24 and mounding to Looking for a low maintenance, easy to grow annual? Euphorbia offers outstanding heat and drought tolerance, and its milky sap is unsavory to animals. Delicate clouds of airy white blooms look great planted in beds and provide the right accent in mixed containers and baskets. Fan Flower (See Scaevola) Evolvulus Blue My Mind Height: 6-12 Mounds, semi trailing Produces stunning sky blue flowers and tolerates heat, drought and humidity. Likes it hot, so look for this plant later in the season. Fuchsia (Stand Up) Height: 9 Semi-upright to Naturally compact and loaded with flowers, these fuchsias look stunning in containers. Gaura Height: 10-14 to These wand flowers bring motion to the garden as bees and butterflies land on the plants. Heat and drought tolerant.
Gazania (African Daisy, Treasure Flower) Height:.5-18 The vivid flower colors of this plant bring a touch of the exotic to the garden. Great plant for containers, rock gardens and xeriscapes. Geranium Height: 10-16 This tried and true garden staple works well in both the landscape and containers. Many beautiful colors include red, pink, white, salmon, lilac, purple and orange and bi-colors. Geranium, Ivy Height: 12-18 Trails Gorgeous blossoms atop dark green foliage will spill from window boxes and containers. Gerbera Daisy Height: 6-18 Fantastic daisy type flowers on sturdy stems, available in a a wide arrange of colors and bi-colors. Low maintenance and great for cutting. Gomphrena Pinball Helichrysum (Licorice) ight: 8-10 Mounding and semi-trailing Elegant silvery green-leafed plant makes a great accent in baskets and containers. Very vigorous recommend one plant/container or basket.
Heliotrope Height: 8-10 Mounding and semi-trailing Large, dense clusters of tiny deep blue flowers make this plant stand out in a container or bed. Flowers offer a delightful scent when warmed by the sun. Hypoestes Hippo (Polka Dot Plant) Height: 16-22 Mounding to Impatiens This new series produces much larger flowers than previous varieties. Their bright, vigorous leaves make a great accent to mixed containers and are great planted alone. Height: 9-14 Stunning in the garden and so many choices solid colors, stripes and bi-colors. to Ipomoea (Sweet Potato Vine) Height: 8-10 Trails Vigorous and fast growing, sweet potato vines work well in the landscape as well as containers and baskets. Kale (Flowering Kale, Ornamental Kale) Height: 20-30 Offered with fall products, ornamental kale is related to ornamental cabbage, but its leaves are serrated or fringed. Great addition to the fall garden or in containers. Although edible, unlike kale grown for the table, the leaves will be tough and chewy and should be covered with white sauce.
Lantana Height: 6-12 (exception Samantha trails) Easy to grow, this plant is heat and drought tolerant. Produces an abundance of brightly colored flowers. Beautiful in beds or containers. Lisianthus Sapphire (Eustoma) Height: 4-6 Striking rose-like beauty, these flowers add a touch of elegance to a container or bed. Lobelia Height: 5-12 Most mound, some varieties trail to Delicate and dainty blooms are beautiful adorning baskets or containers or the garden border. Check tag for light requirements which vary depending upon the variety (plants grown from seed like part shade, most vegetative varieties will tolerate sun). Lobularia (Carpet Flower) Height: 10-15 Mounds to Vigorous and fragrant (smells like sweet alyssum), its dainty foliage and tiny white flowers make this plant an excellent choice for flower beds or containers. Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny) Height: 6 Trails This perennial works great in hanging baskets and containers where its lime colored leaves add texture and contrast.
Marigold, African (Chrysanthemum Flowered Marigold) Height: 14-20 Taller and more upright than French marigolds (dwarf), they thrive under hot and dry conditions. Our Lady series will brighten your garden with colors of gold, orange and yellow. Marigold, Dwarf Height: 8-12 Single and double varieties bring bright summer color to your garden, from pale yellow to bright orange to the many bi-colors available. Deer don't eat dwarf varieties. Mercadonia Height: 1-3 Trails to The dainty yellow flowers on a tight mat of dark green foliage will cascade down the sides of baskets or containers. Can take foot traffic, so work well planted along walkways as well as the garden bed. Mezoo (Dorotheanthus): See Dorotheanthus Millet Height: 24-32 to This attractive ornamental grows stiffly upright, making it a strong statement in a garden border or mixed container. Million Bells See Calibrachoa Nasturtium Height: 12 Trails Easy to grow annual whose leaves are fragrant and flowers are edible. Great for containers or ground cover.
Nemesia Height: 6-36 Mounding and semi-trailing f Charming cool season annual with fragrant flowers that resemble those of the snapdragon. Some varieties have better heat tolerance than others. Use in hanging baskets, containers and flower beds. New Guinea Impatiens Height: 8-14 to These tropical plants stand out in containers or flower beds, with their huge flowers that come in a great assortment of colors and even bicolors. Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco) Height: 10-20 This lovely heirloom flower fills the garden with brightly colored trumpets of star-shaped flowers. Perfume varieties are fragrant. Ornamental Pepper Osteospermum (African Daisy, Cape Daisy, Cape Marigold) Pansy Penta Height: 8-24 Pentas produce large clusters of starry blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Persian Shield (Strobilanthes) Height: 18-36 to The striking, almost iridescent multi-colored foliage is exquisite in containers, combinations, or the landscape. Loves the heat.
Petchoa Height: 10-18 A mix between petunia and calibrachoa (million bells), produces an abundance of flowers, similar in size to petunia (but not sticky!) Great in hanging baskets, containers or flower beds. to Petunia, Grandiflora Height: 12-15 Produces large flowers, single or ruffly doubles. Best planted in flower beds. Petunia, Multiflora Height: 8-12 More compact than the grandifloras and produce smaller flowers but make up for that with the sheer number of blossoms open at any given time. Mass together to create a big splash of color to the flower garden. Petunia, Spreading Height: 6-14 Trailing Don't let the height fool you. These petunias can spread or trail 24-36, making them ideal for hanging baskets, containers or flower beds. Common varieties include wave, supertunias cascadias, and surfinias.
Phlox Height:, mounds ich, sweet scented, vibrantcolored flowers adorn plants that are heat, drought and humidity tolerant. Beautiful in beds, baskets and containers. Portulaca Height: 4-10 Trails Hot sun and drought are no problem. Fleshy, succulent-like leaves and colorful flowers make this plant ideal for the flower border or container, although the flowers close when the sun is not shining. Salvia splendens (Scarlet Sage) Height: 8-12 Bears a profusion of flowers on tall, erect spikes. Stunning in a flower bed or container. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Salvia rhea Height: 12-16 Dense flower spikes are covered with small two-lipped flowers. Drought tolerant and notably heat resilient. Sanvitalia (Creeping Zinnia) Height: 6-8 Trailing Flowers resemble tiny sunflowers with their large centers surrounded by many bright yellow petals. Use in baskets, containers or in the front of the border or in a rock garden.
Scaevola (Fan Flower) Height: 6-14 Mounds and trails Easy to grow, this heat tolerant plant produces delicate lacy flowers all summer long. Excellent in baskets, containers or flower beds. Flower colors blue, pink or white. Snapdragon, ocket Series Height: 30-36 Vigorous and heat tolerant, snapdragons stand out in the garden bed with their showy spikes covered with closely packed florets. Cutting will encourage reblooming. Spike (Dracaena) Height: 24-36 to This container classic adds height with long, deep-green fan foliage. Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose, Lady Slippers) Height: 6-12 Mounds and trails to Dainty flowers atop large leaves. Sunflower (Helianthus) Height: 6-24 Who can resist sunflowers, with their big, dark centers surrounded with bright golden yellow flowers?!? Dwarf varieties are perfect for pots or the garden bed.
Sunpatiens Height: 24-36 or trailing, depending upon variety to Flowers resemble new guinea impatiens, but unlike those, these plants can thrive in full sun. Available in many colors including red, white, orange, pink, salmon and lavender, and several varieties sport bicolored leaves. Sweet Potato Vine (See Ipomoea) Torenia (Wishbone Flower, Clown Flower) Height: 6-12 or trailing, depending upon variety to The flower shape resembles that of a snapdragon with throats of a contrasting color. Verbena Vinca Height: 6-14 or trailing, depending upon variety Verbenas flower profusely, many producing extremely large, showy blooms. Use in hanging baskets, containers or flower beds. Height: 6-14 or trailing, depending upon variety This low maintenance plant tolerates drought and heat and will continue to produce an array of flowers over glossy green leaves. Great in containers, flower beds and borders. Many colors from which to choose, including red, white, pink, apricot and lavender. Vinca Vine (Vinca variegata) Viola (Johnny Jump Up) Height: 4-8 to Violas differ from pansies in that violas have three petals pointing up and two pointing down, whereas pansies have four pointing up and only one pointing down. Both can tolerate cool weather and will be the first flowers ready to plant in early spring for flower boxes, containers and beds.
Zinnia angustifolia (Creeping Zinnia) Height: 6-12 Mounds and trails Zinnia elegans Height: 10-16 Star shaped flowers cover these vigorous plants that are heat, humidity and drought tolerant. Easy to grow with a great selection of color choices, including red, orange, white, yellow and pink, some single some bi-colors. Zinnias create a burst of color in the flower bed or container.