Sanvitalia sp. is a spreading zinnia-like plant; small single or double flowers. Prefers full sun and warm temperatures; do well in dry exposed areas. Does not like transplanting; seed in peat pots. Use for edging, ground cover, hanging baskets, planters and rock gardens.  

Many flowering forms; either from fleshy roots (better cut flowers) or seed. Prefers warm temperatures and moist fertile soil high in organic matter; sun to partial shade. Extremely sensitive to freezing and chilling. May need staking; deadhead to promote flowering. Long lasting cut flowers. Dwarf bedding cultivars are started from seed; flower relatively quick from seed. Fleshy roots can be dug and stored but plants are not as uniform as those from seed. Divide before planting; retain part of the stem. Pot up in March or April. Use for background planting and cut flowers.

Dianthus chinensis has gray green foliage; flowers in loose clusters. Faintly fragrant, single, semi-double or frilled flowers. Short bloom period; deadhead to promote rebloom. Best in full sun and rich, well drained alkaline soils; prefers cool temperatures. Will take severe frost. May over winter with adequate winter protection; wet soil conditions in the spring cause root rot. Rabbits love. Cuttings taken in early summer root easily. Use for cut flowers, edging, planters and rock gardens.

Senecio cineraria has silver, wooly leaves; good contrast plant. Perennial in warmer climates. Likes dry soil and full sun. Use for edging, planters and window boxes.

Brassica sp. has ruffled, feather leafed or wavy leafed type; green, white, pink, purple and red colored leaves. Edible leaves but poor taste. Strains of common vegetables; tolerates frost. Cabbage worms and aphids are a problem. Like full sun; color is best in the fall due to cool temperatures and longer nights. Use for edging.

Myosotis sylvatica has a weak or prostrate branching habit generally hairy; leaves alternate without teeth. Flowers small in branched or unbranches clusters. Best in partial shade, cool temperatures and moist soils. Reseed themselves easily. Use for mixed borders.

Mirabilis jalapa has trumpet-shaped, very fragrant flowers which open about 4 p.m. and remain open until the following morning; also on cloudy and overcast days. Full sun preferred; may need staking. Roots and seed are poisonous. May self seeds. Tuberous roots can be dug in fall and stored for replanting. Seed directly into garden or start seeds indoors in peat pots. Use for mixed borders.
 

Digitalis purpurea  has sturdy compact flower spikes; long tubular, drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Likes cool moist climate; needs well drained soil; does well in all light conditions. Leaves and seeds are poisonous; source of digitalis. Start very early. `Foxy strain' (bred for blooms the 1st year). Use for background plantings.

Attractive, pendulous flowers and fruits; cut back after blooming. Likes partial to full shade and cool moist conditions; high humidity. Doesn't like wind. Propagate by cuttings or seeds. Can be over wintered as a house plant; needs bright light and cool night temperatures.  Use in hanging baskets and planters.

Single, semi-double and double daisy-like blooms; may be bicolored. Ball-shaped flowers are also available. Prefer full sun, light well drained soil and warm temperatures; tolerate heat and drought better than most flowering plants. `Red Plume' is very nice. Use for cut flowers, planters and window boxes.

Prostrate growth habit; may have silver foliage. Single daisy-like flowers; close at night or in cloudy weather. Flowers best in hot weather. Prefers full sun and well drained soil high in organic matter; likes dry conditions. Start seed early; may self seed.  Use for cut flowers, edging, hanging baskets, planters and rock gardens.

Pelargonium sp like warm dry weather and full sun to partial shade; allow to dry out between waterings. Zonal Geranium has an upright growth habit; single or double flowers in hemispherical or spherical clusters. Foliage is often zoned and may be variegated; has a definite odor. Blooms best in cool summers; deadhead for more continuous bloom. Start from seed (very early) or cuttings; root cuttings in perlite. Can be over wintered. Ivy Geranium has waxy, ivy-like leaves and trailing growth habit. Scented Geraniums are grown for their foliage rather than flowers. Scent is produced by crushing leaves; `Misquito Plant'. Martha Washington Geranium has azalea-like flower clusters; dark red on inside of petals. Do not like heat; needs cool nights to set flower buds. Flower in response to daylength (Mother's Day).  Use geraniums for hanging baskets, planters and window boxes.

Single daisy-like flower on long stem; very thin ray flowers which look like bristles on a comb. Sparce flowering; need cool nights to bloom. Sun to partial shade; needs to be deadheaded for continued bloom. Slow growing; likes a little extra water. Best used as a pot or patio plant. Start very early. Use for cut flowers and planters. Tends to do poorly here. 

Flowers are arranged on one side of the tall stem; cut when lowest bud shows color. Produces 7 leaves before flower stalk. Needs 1" of water per week; stake in windy spots. Best in full sun. Thrips can be a serious problem. Convex shaped corms are better quality than flat corms. Flower 8-10 weeks after plant corms; dig corms after foliage ripens in fall. Primarily grown for cut flowers; can also be used for background planting.

Gomphrena sp has round flowers heads which resemble large sized clover flowers; great when planted in mass. Prefers full sun and well drained soil and warm weather; do well in windy areas. Heat, drought and humidity resistant. Requires darkness to germinate. Dwarf forms are available.  Use for cut flowers, dried flowers, edging, planters and window boxes. `Strawberry Fields' and `Bicolor Rose' do very well.
 

G. elegans and G. muralis (much lower growing) are annual forms of Baby's Breath. Small, opposite blue green leaves; many small flowers in branched panicles Bloom best if somewhat crowded. May require staking as they have a tendency to fall over. Prefers full sun and a well drained soil. Use for cut flowers, dried flowers and edging.
 

Pinch to develop a bushier plant; strong vanilla scented flowers; Best in full sun to partial shade, rich soil and warm conditions. May be started from seeds or cuttings. Grown commercially for the perfume industry. Use for background planting, edging, hanging baskets and planters.

Alcea rosea has large palmate, 3 to 7 lobed leaves; spire-like stems bear a great number of single, semi-double or double flowers. Flowers first year if seeds are started early. Likes full sun and well drained soil. Dwarf cultivars are sturdy and do not need staking. Susceptible to rust.  Use for background planting and mixed borders.

Compact plants; pinch to make bushier. Plant closer to get taller plants. May be variegated; single or double flowers. Ripe seed pods burst open at the slightest pressure. Do best in partial to full shade. Start seeds early; need light to germinate. Easily propagated by cuttings. New Guinea Impatiens have large showy spurred flowers; tolerate more sun. Most are propagated by cuttings. Use as edging, hanging baskets, planters and window boxes.

Consolida spp.  has narrow divided leaves; flowers in showy spikes. Spur on flower; all plant parts are poisonous. Like dry sunny locations; best bloom in cool weather. Mulch to keep roots cool; may need staking. Seed in fall or very early spring. Difficult to transplant; start in peat pots or direct seed. May self seed.  Use for background planting, cut flowers, dried flowers and mixed borders.

This page was last updated March 2003

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