Posts Tagged ‘annuals’
Annuals that shine in shady spots
Finding striking, no-fuss annuals for shady gardens and containers can be challenging, especially if you are seeking something other than common impatiens (Impatiens walleriana). Since most of my gardens are in part shade or shade, I’m always on the lookout for striking annuals to extend the floral display through fall. A few of my favorite…
Read MoreRemarkable perennials, annuals, flowering vines and bulbs
Actaea pachypoda ‘Misty Blue’ This Northeast native perennial creates waves in shade gardens. It has always been one that folks ask about in my display gardens. The steely blue, lacey leaves provide an impressive backdrop to white fuzzy flowers that appear in late Spring. These flowers develop into panicles of showy white fruits (“doll’s eyes”)…
Read MoreSupertunia Really Red
Supertunia ‘Really Red’ This petunia is a showboat, and I love it! The bold, REALLY red flowers are large and numerous. This is a new Supertunia from Proven Winners. I first saw it last winter from across an exhibit hall at a green industry trade. I just planted a sweep of ‘Really Red’ in front…
Read MoreOutstanding No-Fuss Annual
Isotoma axillaris ‘Beth’s Blue Procrastination will cost you with this beauty. ‘Beth’s Blue’ starflower tends to fly out of a garden center as soon as it is unloaded from the delivery truck. The mesmerizing lavender flowers dance gracefully atop lacy foliage. Beth’s Blue requires full sun and grows to 12” – 14”. No deadheading required.…
Read MoreHow-To Garden Design Classes
I have been receiving fabulous feedback about the three-hour garden design and plants classes. Classes have been held in Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Virginia. The next scheduled programs will be at Holdridge Garden Center in Ledyard, CT on Saturday, June 3 from 9:00 – noon and in Erie, PA on August 12, hosted by…
Read MoreTAKE FIVE! Non-Stop Blooming Annuals
Fool-proof, powerhouse annuals are on my MUST HAVE list. Here are five front-runners for high impact, low-maintenance gardens and containers: Supertunia Vista ‘Bubblegum’. Let’s salute the 2017 Annual of the Year! This nonstop blooming annual covers two to four square feet. WHAT?! ‘Bubblegum’ blows your characteristic view of petunias. No deadheading required, sweeping flower-covered stems,…
Read MoreAllan Armitage's Unique App
Allan Armitage’s unique App features over 1000 different plants (perennials, shrubs, annuals, roses, herbs, veggies & more!) along with hundreds of photos plus videos, a great section on pollinators and a deer browsing guide. AND the App includes a list of topnotch independent garden centers as well as recommended books (including mine). All for only…
Read MoreContain Yourself, Please!
Container gardening continues to rapidly rise in popularity. Aging baby boomers as well as millennials are discovering the joy and ease of gardening in containers and raised beds. Everything from edibles to ornamentals to flowering shrubs and conifers are fair game. May is when many of us start diving into bags of rich, organic potting…
Read MoreRiveting Annuals from Proven Winners
Superbells ‘Evening Star’ Riveting! That’s the reaction you will have as you stare at Proven Winner’s new hybrid Calibrachoa ‘Evening Star’. This continuous blooming annual (commonly called million bells) pumps out lovely lavender flowers featuring a yellow star pattern and deep purple throat. ‘Evening Star’ will get 6” – 12” tall with flower-laden stems that…
Read MoreNew Annuals from Proven Winners
Proven Winners Superbena ‘Sparkling Ruby’ I trialed this prize-winning Superbena in my Kennebunk gardens last summer. It was one of the first plants that folks asked me about when touring my gardens. ‘Sparkling Ruby’ has a neat mounded habit – 6” to 10” tall – but sports flower-laden stems that trail to 14”. This blooming…
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