Easy to Grow AnnualsBegonias are great, and a favorite with many gardeners because of the durability and low maintenance of these flowers. You can put them in full sun if the soil stays moist, or add them to you shad gardens and they'll flourish there too .
This shade plant( or some sun) is a prime candidate to be enjoyed year round if you take it indoors during the winter months. You can bring the whole plant inside, or take a cutting and plant it in an indoor container.
Color- Begonias come in White red, rose or pink flowers. The leaves are gorgous and waxy in green,or bronze color. Blooming Period- Blooms from summer to frost Where to Use
Care-Begonias don't really need regular deadheading. The smal flowers dry out on the plant and new flowers will grow around them. They like moist soil, prefer shade, but will grow in a variety of light conditions.
Cockscomb or Celosia is a a unique, beautiful plant with thick plume of color . The leaves might be green, red or bronze, dependant on the variety. They like full sun and well drained soil. These guys are tough and drought tolerant. So much flower powere here! I love the deep red color . Color-Red,yellow, orange,gold,and pink Blooming Period-Summer through Fall Height- Varieties come in sizes 6 inches to 30 inches
Uses
Coleus is an old longstanding favorite among gardeners for both indoor and outdoor color . They like moist soil and partial shade. The color of the foliage ranges from bright chartreuse to fabulous varigated leaf patterns in salmon, burgundy and greens. The flower is small and not very exciting; but it's the leaves of the plant that will add texture and vibrancy to your garden .Simply pinch off the incoming flowers to promote new branches of foliage . Color-Leaves are usually varigated in colrs of green,chartruese,yellow,salmon,orange,red,purple, or brown. Blooming Period-Summer through Fall- Pinch off and bring the plants indoors for the winter. Height-Varieties come in sizes 6 inches to 24 inches
Uses
Cosmos is a wild and wonderful flower! Some of the species can be a bit neater than others , but overall I have found this flower to be an exuberant addition in the garden . I've used taller single flower varieties in my informal cottage gardens. The leggy loose feel is reminiscent of the old Victorian garden beds. The shorter 12" plants are better suited if you want a more formal feel. The flower will produce bonus seedlings the next year with hardly any work on your part. These are great for cut flowers.
Color-These cheery bright flowers are available in yellow, red, white, orange, pink and purple. All have a bright yellow center. So cute!
Blooming Period-Summer until the first frost.
Height-Mature height from 12 to 72 "
Uses
Care Very low maintenance. Pinch back early in the season to produce stronger, fuller plants.
Dusty Miller is another long time favorite because of the unique color of silvery gray, and the beautiful lacy leaves. I like to place them in my backyard gardens, paired with pink roses or bright red geraniums;the white/silver foliage is a wonderful contrast. This plant also
Color-Silvery white- looks like the leaves have been dusted in flour. Blooming Period-Summer until the first frost.Sometimes will last over the winter, though the next years plant may not look the best.
Height- Mature height from 6 to 14 "
Uses
Care Very low maintenance when planted in a well drained spot. Avoid overwatering. Cut off the leggy sprouts to keep the plant trim and neat.
Flowering Tobacco plant is a great showy flower that blooms on and on! All season long in fact. They are adaptable to both bedding plants in the garden, or added to your container gardens.The flowers remind me a bit of a miniature petunia . These are fairly easy to grow- once they are established. Pick of the dead flowers( dead heading) during the season to promote additional growth.
Color-White, pink, red, lavender, and yellow Blooming Period-Summer until the first frost.
Height- Mature height from 6 to 14 "
Uses
Care-Very low maintenance once estblished. They may wilt in the sun, but wait to see if they pop back when the sun goes down before watering.
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