If you are planning to plant flowers in your yard, you may wonder what kind of plants to choose. Here are some tips to choose the right annual flowers for your climate and soil. You can choose among Petunia, Verbena, Calibrachoa, Geranium, and more. If you live in a moderate climate, you can try these. In addition, you can check with your local garden center or florist for more ideas.
Petunia
A perennial in the petunia family, the common garden petunia blooms from early summer to frost. It grows well in temperate climates and does not tolerate shade. The horticultural species fall into two main categories: the compact erect and the long-stemmed balcony petunia. Each of these varieties has its own unique flower shape and color, with petals ranging in size from white to deep crimson.
A great way to grow petunias in containers is to plant them in the spring. Petunias like light soil and good drainage. If your soil is heavy clay or contains high levels of nutrients, it is important to amend it. You can also start petunia seeds indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost date. Once the soil has warmed up, transplant the seedlings into the soil.
The petunia plant grows best if it receives ten hours of sunlight a day. Once established, you can place it in a sunny window. Make sure it has a moist soil and about six hours of sunlight. You can also plant it in your garden in spring. However, you must harden it off first by planting it in the ground for an hour. The next day, give it another hour of exposure to the sun to keep the petunia plant healthy and growing.
Verbena
Verbena is a popular annual flower plant that attracts several kinds of butterflies. Its beautiful flowers are attractive to bumblebees and hummingbirds. However, the plant is prone to a few common problems, most often caused by poor air circulation, low light levels and excessive watering. Powdery mildew can cause the leaves and flowers to turn brown. Plants that are overly moist can also suffer from botrytis blight, which causes brown flowers. Planting verbenas far apart will prevent this problem.
Annual verbenas grow to about three feet in height and can interweave with perennials. Their flowers have five petals and partially fuse into a tubular flower. They grow naturally in red or purple, but breeders have created hybrids in other colors. Regardless of their type, they all attract pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Verbena is a versatile plant that will complement any garden.
Calibrachoa
You can get beautiful, fragrant blooms from Calibrachoa annual flowers in a vase, pot, or garden. If the plant gets all of its needs met, the flowers will bloom for most of the summer. These plants thrive in full sunlight, but will tolerate a certain amount of shade as well. In addition, they need a well-drained, acidic soil. While Calibrachoa will tolerate a bit of partial shade, it will suffer a reduction in blooms. Without proper light, they will turn light green.
Calibrachoa is native to the region of South America and grows to a height of six to 12 inches in width. It’s great for hanging baskets, as its foliage is often sticky and they produce lots of flowers. Calibrachoa blooms can be any color you desire, and many varieties come in more than one color. They are evaluated annually at the University of Minnesota’s flower trials.
Geranium
Typically, geraniums thrive in bright, sunny areas. They require four to six hours of direct sun per day. Place geraniums eight to twelve inches apart in well-drained soil. Avoid compacting the soil or allowing it to dry out completely. Geraniums can tolerate drought but not prolonged periods of lack of water. Therefore, watering them only when necessary will keep their roots healthy.
The common “geranium” in the genus Perlargonium has a variety of colorful forms. This plant typically grows to be between a foot and a half tall. It produces five-petaled flowers in the middle of the plant. The flower clusters in this type are single or double. They are grouped into color zones in the center of their leaves. They also produce a large number of flowers.
While there are different types of geraniums, most of them are annuals. The most common varieties are the zonal geraniums, which are distinguished by a broad band of dark coloring along the leaf stem. Zonenal geraniums are also more affordable. They have numerous individual flowers and can grow to 18 inches tall in summer. They’re perfect plants for pots and hanging baskets.
Marigold
The marigold is a perennial that grows in full sun. Some varieties grow tall and narrow, but not much more. Tall plants require staking to support them. Avoid overfertilizing marigolds, as overfertilizing reduces bloom production. Marigolds can grow in poor soil, so they are an excellent choice for areas that do not receive sufficient nutrients. You can also plant heavier feeders in these areas.
While marigolds are drought-tolerant once established, they are still best watered regularly, once a week. Initially, they need daily watering, but after a few weeks, they are more tolerant. They tend to self-sow so remove spent flowers and leave the remaining ones in the soil. Marigolds are heat-loving plants, but they can also tolerate cool weather and bloom well in zones two to 11. They also bloom best during the later summer months, so water them often.
Depending on your growing conditions, marigolds grow best in full sun. If you have clay soil, dig a deeper hole and make sure that the soil around the plant is broken up. If it is particularly hot, you may want to place the pots in a cellar, or place them on a trellis. Marigolds grow well in cold climates, too. If you live in a tropical climate, you can try growing tree marigolds, also known as the Mexican Sunflower. They are tall and have a woody stem.
Vinca
If you love colorful annual flowers, try the annual Vinca plant. The foliage and flowers of this annual flower plant need very little care, and it rarely needs deadheading or pruning. This plant can self-seed in subtropical regions. It is not suitable for human consumption. If you do decide to try this plant, it is best to follow the instructions listed on the container and carefully follow the directions to ensure that the vines will survive.
The newer varieties of vinca plants are easiest to grow from seed. The seedlings need to be planted at least 12 weeks before the average last frost. They need a sunny location and well-drained soil. You can plant them in a pot or plant them in the ground, but do not transplant them into your regular garden soil! You may cause root rot if you place them in regular soil. Vincas do best when the soil is dry to the touch.
Zinnia
The sunflower-like flowering plants of the genus Zinnia are native to the southwestern United States and South America, where they grow in dry grasslands and scrubland. The species’ center of diversity is Mexico. The sunflower-like flowers are popular in gardens and are a favorite of many people. They grow in gardens, along paths, and along fences. But, did you know that they can also be used as edible plants?
The annual zinnia is easy to grow and requires little care. It can be planted in average soil and will tolerate a variety of conditions. However, it is best planted in full sun, with good air circulation. Once established, it can tolerate many soil types, though it is best to use soil that contains a high amount of organic matter. The pH level should range between 5.5 and 7.5, and the soil should be well-drained. Compost is an excellent amendment for zinnia soil and will make them grow faster.
There are many varieties of zinnias, with different blooming habits and flower structures. Some are low-growing, with a mounding habit, while others are tall and bushy with big flowers. Select the right variety for your garden and your personal needs. While some varieties are good for the home garden, taller ones are generally used for cutting or display. If you want to enjoy the beauty of both, plant a mounding variety in the garden or grow it in clumps or rows. Zinnias are very adaptable and do not need staking.
Ageratum
A wonderful annual flower plant, Ageratum has large, bright blue blooms that are reliably available from late spring until the first frost of fall. Originally only low-growing, ageratum now comes in upright varieties and can reach 30 inches. This plant’s unique blue color and long blooming season are hard to find in any other plant. Though its most distinctive characteristic is its deep blue color, it also comes in a wide variety of other colors.
The seed of Ageratum is easy to germinate. Then, the seeds are planted in the spring and are ready for planting six to eight weeks before the last frost. Once the last frost has passed, you may need to thin the young ageratum plants to a few inches apart. The flowers of Ageratum are extremely attractive, so be sure to buy a bunch! Once they have sprouted, they will grow to about eight inches in height.
