Toadflax is in the same family as Snapdragon and has a very similar flowers, only smaller. Usually have a 3-4 week period of heavy bloom and then tend to quit blooming. Deadhead for rebloom. Likes full sun. Blooms best in cool weather. Declines in late summer.  Quick to flower from seed; does not transplant well.  Use for edging and rock gardens. Not that good here.
 

Eustoma grandiflorum has opposite oval leaves; may clasp stem. Large single funnel-shaped or double rose-like flowers. Flowers in long days; durable long lasting cut flower. Deadhead for rebloom. Does well in full sun to partial shade. Staking may be necessary due to the weight of blooms. Declines by late summer. Seven months from seeding to flowering; declines by late summer. Prefers warm weather; heat resistant in moist well drained soil. Needs light to germinate. Use for cut flowers and planters. Tends to do poorly here.

Upright and trailing forms; slow growing. Likes cool temperatures; nights below 70 degrees. Prefers partial shade and rich moist well drained soil; do not stress from lack of moisture. Suffers in heat; east location good. Best used as pot or patio plant. Damping off of seedlings can be a problem.  Use for edging, ground cover, hanging baskets, planters and window boxes.
 

Compound, finger shaped leaves; pea-like flowers produced in graceful flower spikes. Short bloom period; seeds are poisonous. Resents alkaline soil; prefers sun to partial shade and cool weather. Aphids can be a problem. Do not transplant well; start indoors in individual containers.  Use for background planting, cut flowers and dried flowers.

Tagetes spp. has foliage that has a strong scent when bruised or crushed; may repel pests. Long flowering period; deadhead to encourage continuous bloom. Stand up well in wind and rain; mites can be a serious problem. Likes full sun and well drained soil. African Marigolds are larger and later flowering; globe shaped double flowers; day length sensitive; French Marigolds are early flowering; finer foliage and shorter with single or double flowers; more susceptible to Aster Yellows. Signet Marigolds are smaller, have fern-like foliage, and single flowers.  Use for background planting, cut flowers, edging, hanging baskets, mixed borders, planters and window boxes.

African Zinnia is a mounded plant with small daisy-like flowers; long lasting cut flowers. Prefers full sun and alkaline soil; exceptionally heat tolerant. Easy to grow in poor soil. Good drought tolerance; more mildew resistance than zinnias. Use for cut flowers, edging, ground covers, planters and rock gardens. Do very well here.
 

Low mound shaped plants with flowers that look somewhat like small spotted gloxinias; name from the resemblance of the flowers to the face of a grinning monkey. Prefer full to partial sun and moist conditions; may be kept as house plants. Start seeds very early; seedlings are very slow growing. Can be propagated by cuttings.  Use for edging.

Ipomoea alba is a twining climber with large heart-shaped leaves and large trumpet-shaped flowers. Fragrant flowers open at night; last only one night. Has a milky sap. Grow best in full sun and sandy or poor soil; seeds are poisonous. Difficult to transplant; start in peat pots. Seeds should be nicked with a file or soaked overnight to speed germination.  Use for screening.

Portulaca sp. is a colorful carpet plant for full sun and hot dry areas; stems soft and fleshy often reddish colored. Narrow fleshy leaves are covered by single or rose-like double flowers; open in sun but not on cloudy days. Newer varieties may open in overcast conditions. Tolerates heat and drought; best in poor soil. Non-invasive; self seeds unless soil is worked.  Use for edging, ground covers, hanging baskets, planters and rock gardens.

Ipomoea spp. are fast growing, hairy vines with heart-shaped leaves; trumpet-shaped flowers. Flower opens in the morning and closes when the sun gets high in sky; newer cultivars may stay open all day. Each flower lasts only a day; seeds are poisonous. Plant near trellises or woven wire fence. Full sun and infertile dry soil will produce the most flowers. Do not transplant well; start indoors in peat pots or seed into garden. Nick seeds with file or soak to speed germination.  Use for ground covers, hanging baskets, planters and screening.

Tropaeolum majus  have semi-vine and dwarf bushy types; leaves resemble a shield and flowers a helmet; green or variegated foliage. Flowers above foliage. Single or double flowers; doubles are more fragrant. Spicy leaves and flowers are edible. Does best in full sun to partial shade and poor soil; rich soil produces an abundance of foliage which tends to hide flowers. Do best when summers are cool; tolerates drought and heat. Best with cool night temperatures. Aphids can be a problem. Does not transplant well.  Use for cut flowers, edging, ground covers, hanging baskets and planters.

Square stems with lance-shaped leaves; cup-like flowers, often marked with purple in terminal clusters. Likes full sun, moist organic soil and cool conditions; does not do well in high heat or high humidity. Irregular germination; hard to grow.  Use for cut flowers, edging and planters.

Soft green leaves; plant covered with short sticky hairs. Tubular-shaped flowers similar in appearance to petunias; open in the evening. Sweet scented with a long flowering period. Plant parts are poisonous. Grows best in full to partial sun, moist well drained soil and warm conditions; water during hot dry spells. Potato bugs can be a serious pest. Do not cover seeds. Use for background plants, cut flowers and mixed borders.

Mound shaped plant with cup-shaped flowers. Likes full sun, moist, well drained, rich soil and warm weather; does poorly in high temperatures. Slow from seed; can be propagated from stem cuttings.  Use for edging, ground cover, hanging baskets, planters, rock garden and window boxes. `Mont Blanc' does very good here.
 

Thread-like foliage; flowers resemble Bachelor Buttons in shape and color. Use dried seed heads in arrangements. Does best in full sun. Doesn't transplant well; direct seed into garden but seedlings must be thinned. May self seed.   Use for cut flowers, dried flowers and planters.

Ocimum sp has many leaf forms, types and fragrances; little leaf types are more popular. Has green or purple leaves; mint family. Small flowers; cut back to rejuvenate plants. Weak stems when young.  Best in full sun. Use for dried flowers, edging, planters and window boxes.

Capsicum sp has upright, slender cone-shaped or round fruits; edible but most are hot. Colors include: green, red, black and yellow. Use fresh or dried. Some have purple or purple and green leaves. Best in full sun; may be too cold here. Start early indoors.  Use for edging.

Viola spp.  has heart-shaped or oval leaves; delicate fragrant flowers with 5 overlapping petals. Pattern on flowers often resemble small smiling faces; keep faded flowers picked off to encourage rebloom. Likes sun to partial shade, moist fertile soil and cool temperatures; do not like heat. Mildew can be a problem. May self seed; Seedlings are more likely to over winter than older plants.   Use for cut flowers, edging, planters, rock gardens and window boxes.

Soft leaves and funnel-shaped flowers; single or double. Bicolors are also available; many are fragrant especially on cool nights. Pinch to develop bushier plants or will get leggy. Cut back in July to encourage late summer and fall bloom. Prefers full sun to partial shade, fertile loamy soil and plenty of moisture; better in cool temperatures. Aster yellows can be a problem; worst on red and whites. May reseed but most do not come true from seed. Very small seed; start early. Light to germinate. Multiflora Petunias-small flower cultivars that bloom early and produce many flowers per plant.More wind and rain resistant; better suited for beds and borders. Florbunda Petunias-cross between Grandiflora and Multiflora. Grandiflora Petunias-larger more ruffled or fringed flowers; good in planters, window boxes or hanging baskets. Milliflora Petunias-tiny flowers on compact plants. Procumbent Petunias-spreading groundcover plants.   Use petunias for cut flowers, edging, ground covers, hanging baskets, mixed borders, planters and window boxes.

This page was last updated March 2003

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