Annual and Perennial
Flower Selections For North Dakota
H322,
January 2000
Ron Smith,
Extension Horticulturist
Barb Laschkewitsch,
Agricultural Research Specialist
Annuals and perennials are an excellent source of color and accent to North Dakota landscapes. Annuals are used for their continuous flower color throughout most of the growing season. Because North Dakota summers are so unpredictable, it is usually a good idea to use transplants after killing frost threats have passed. Perennials are used for their permanence in the landscape setting, offering specific periods of bloom, relatively low maintenance, and wide adaptability.
Where annuals are started anew each growing season, perennials can usually be divided in the spring or fall. These new divisions can either be replanted or given to a friend or neighbor.
The organization of this circular is to provide annual suggestions for specific locations in and around the landscape: Low growing plants, tall, shade, full sun/dry locations, for massing, naturalizing, and fragrance. This does not mean that a plant selected for a particular location absolutely cannot grow in another type of location. It is merely a guide indicating where the selected plants grow best under those conditions. Some plants may be listed in more than one category.
[ Annuals ] [ Perennials
]
[Current All-American Selection Winners ] [ Common
Name Reference ]
[ USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ]
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Low Growing
(6"-8") Tall Plants
(24" - 48"+)
Intermediate Height (10"-20")
Plants For Shade |
Full Sun/
Dry Locations
Striking Flower Show -- Massed Plantings
Plants For Naturalizing
Annuals Planted For Fragrance
Annuals For Drying |
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Perennials
Perennials are often used to solve trouble some spots in the landscape. Some of these areas might be wet, dry, shady, or possess infertile soil. Perennials are effective background plantings, for naturalizing, or simply as a border to define a planting bed.
Wet areas could be planted with Iris sibirica, Monarda didyma, and Viola odorata. For dry areas, the use of Achillea or Hemerocallis might be considered. Where the soil is poor, Gypsophila or Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) could be used. For tall background plantings, consider Phlox paniculata or Boltonia asteroides `Snowbank'. Naturalized plantings may use the Prairie Gayfeather (Liatris) or Echinacea, while rocky areas will accomodate plantings of Columbine (Aquilegia) and Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis `Citrina'). Borders can be accented effectively with Snow-In-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) or Phlox subulata (Moss Pink).
Perennial selection can be made on the basis of flower color and the season of bloom. The following selections will highlight these qualities.
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Color Guide |
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Blue to Purple
Pink to Red
Gray to Blue, & Variegated Foliage |
Yellow to Orange
White |
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Season of Bloom |
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May to June
June to July
July to August |
August to September
Extended Season of Bloom
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Foliar Impacts |
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| Gray, Blue, & Variegated -- Season Long Achillea Ajuga Artemisia Cerastium Dianthus Echinops Gypsophila Heuchera Hosta Lamium Perovskia Sedum Thymus |
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Heights |
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Under 12"
12-24" |
Over 24" Achillea filpendulina Aquilegia canadensis Aster Astilbe Boltonia asteroides `Snowbank' Campanula glomerata Coreopsis `Golden Shower' Delphinium elatum Dictamnus albus `Purpureus' Echinacea purpurea Echinops vitro Eryngium X zabelii `Amethyst' Gypsophila paniculata Hosta sieboldiana Iris Liatris spicata Lychnis chalcedonica Monarda didyma Papaver orientale Phlox paniculata Physostegia virginiana Rudbeckia Salvia Solidago `Gold Dwarf' Veronica virginica Yucca |
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Shade Tolerant Perennials |
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| Ajuga spp. Aquilegia canadensis Asarum canadense Astilbe spp Bergenia cordifolia Campanula spp. Centaurea macrocephala Cimicifuga racemosa Coreopsis spp. Dicentra spectabilis Digitalis spp. Hosta spp. Lamium spp. Mertensia virginica Myosotis spp. Phlox divaricata Ranunculus repens Sedum kamtschaticum |
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Current All-America Selection (AAS) Winners
The red, white and blue logo of All-America Selections (AAS) on vegetable and flower seed packets, bedding plant tags, in catalogs and in garden articles is a promise of gardening success under most circumstances -- even in North Dakota! For the past 68 years, AAS has taken the guess work out of finding flower and vegetable varieties that will be reliable, vigorous, productive and that show marked improvements over other varieties currently available.
While not a trial grounds, the campus gardens on the western part of the NDSU campus are AAS Display gardens that attract hundreds of visitors during the growing season. The upcoming 1999 AAS plants were trialed in our gardens in Fargo and at the Dickinson Research and Extension Center. To get a glimpse of what will be available to the public for the next gardening year, visit our gardens at either site.
Recent AAS winners are:
1998
Impatiens F1 `Victorian Rose' — soft rose, consistently double flowers are improvements. More free flowering than other double flowers. Needs shady growing location.
Petunia F1 `Prisim Sunshine' — A large, creamy yellow, single flowering plant that provides color all season long, and combines well with other colors.
1999
Tritoma `Flamenco' — a perennial in zones 5-8, this striking flower is desirable as a long stem cut flower. The tubular blooms on a flower spike can be light yellow, golden yellow, orange, red or shades of these colors. Height, 30 inches.
Verbena `Quartz Burgundy' — a distinct deep red, burgundy wine color not previously available in an annual verbena. The large umbels and velvety texture are desirable flower qualities that were observed by the AAS judges. Another improved trait is the length of the flowering season. It will flower in the early spring or fall and continue for months. This trait is enhanced by powdery mildew tolerance so that the plant does not succumb to this disease.
Verbena `Quartz Burgundy' — is ideal for hanging baskets as well as ground cover plantings in full sun. Spreads up to 15 inches and gets 6-10 inches in height.
Zinnia `Profusion Cherry' — exceeded all expectations for a single flowered, mid-height garden zinnia. Once started, it never ceased flowering all through the growing season. Exhibiting a combination of high disease tolerance, and a profusion of single, rose-colored blooms, the interested gardener need only provide a sunny location, fertile soil, and water for color that will last for months. Height: 12-18 inches; width: 16-22 inches.
Zinnia `Profusion Orange' — perhaps the most disease-resistant zinnia in North American gardens. This plant is appropriately named as the old blooms are covered with fresh foliage and more flowers. Because of its mounded habit, it shows color in all directions, so there is no "good side" for planting. Getting 12-18 inches in height, each plant will spread 14-20 inches.
Portulaca F1 `Sundial Peach' — the first portulaca to win an All-America Selections Award. It possesses two distinct qualities that other cultivars only hope for — a unique pastel coral color, and a longer display of color than other varieties of portulaca. Plants get to a height of 6-8 inches, and spread 812 inches.
Osteospermum `Passion Mix' — a daisy lover's delight. The single daisy flowers can be shades of rose, purple, or a contrasting pure white. Known also as Cape Marigold or African Daisy, this native to South Africa will thrive in a xeric-type garden environment, as it needs little water to get along. They should be readily available in garden centers in 4" to 6" pots this spring. Height and width: 1218 inches.
Marigold `Bonanza Bolero' — unique because of its irregular bicolor design. The blooms are golden yellow, flecked with mahogany red markings in a variable pattern. The flowers can be cut and used in petite summer bouquets. This is a good candidate for our environment as it tolerates poor weather conditions quite well, and are disease and insect free. Height: 8-12 inches; width: 12-24 inches
Begonia F1 `Pin-Up® Flame' — an unusual color combination of yellow with an orange/red petal edge. This color pattern is distinct from other single flowered tuberous rooted begonias and the pattern varies slightly from plant to plant. They will be mostly available in 4 inch pots at garden centers this spring. Height and width: 10-12 inches.
Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year 2000
Scabiosa columbaria ` Butterfly Blue' This reliably hardy perennial for our area (zone 3) will do well in light shade or full sun, producing a mass of lavender-blue flowers through a good part of the growing season. It begins blooming from mid-spring and going to early fall if deadheaded. A good attractant for butterflies, it also makes an excellent plant for a cutflower garden or container culture. Once established, these 12-16 inch plants need little care.
2000
Vinca `Stardust Orchid' — performs best in full sun location, with well-drained soil. Keep the water off the plant foliage to avoid diseases. The white flowers fall off at senescence so deadheading is not unnecessary. Basically a pest-free plant that is easy to grow. Height: 14-16 inches
Tithonia `Fiesta del Sol' — daisy-like orange flowers make a striking show in summer heat, literally ignoring the rising temperatures. This is a good butterfly and hummingbird attractant, needing only a fertile soil, full sun, and water in order to look its best. North Dakota gardeners need to be aware of this plant's sensitivity to cool temperatures — do not transplant until the temperatures are dependably warm. For gardeners who are troubled with deer grazing, this is one of the last items they will add to their menu. Height:2-3 feet.
Cosmos `Cosmic Orange' — if you've grown Cosmos before, don't expect this one to resemble the others in too many ways. The 2-inch orange flowers literally "glow" on the compact, dense, plant, which gets 12-18 inches tall. This is truly a low-maintenance plant that actually performs better when planted in soil of low fertility. If the spent blooms are removed, the dazzling flowers will continue their show right up `till fall frost. To maximize flower show use either transplants or start seeds about 90 days before transplanting.
Dianthus F1 `Melody Pink' — the perfect cottage garden plant, this Dianthus serves as a colorful addition to a sunny location for the entire season, along with supplying the gardener with a supply of cut flowers. The sprays of 1-inch pink flowers will show good color despite the heat of summer. Use transplants or start seeds about 60 days before moving outside. Given sunshine, water as needed, and fertile soil, this Dianthus will reward the gardener with undemanding beauty all season long. Height: 20-24 inches.
Sunflower `Soraya' — this imposing beauty, which stands 5-6 feet tall, has blooms that are 4-6 inches across, with distinctly orange petals and chocolate brown centers. With their long stems, they can be used as cut flowers or remain as sentinels toward the back of the garden. Direct sow the seed in a garden bed where ample sunshine can warm the soil and get the plants started. From sowing to bloom will require about 90-100 days, making it a perfect choice for a "pumpkin days" color addition to the garden.
Common Name Reference
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Annuals |
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| Ageratum — Floss Flower Amaranthus — Love-lies-bleeding Antirrhinum — Snapdragon Begonia — Begonia Briza — Quaking grass, Rattlesnake grass Calendula — Calendula Campanula — Bellflower Celosia — Cockscomb, plumed and crested Centaurea — Basket flower Chrysanthemum — Chrysanthemum Cleome — Spider flower Coleus — Coleus, Flame nettle Consolida — Larkspur Coreopsis — Calliopsis Cosmos — Cosmos Cynoglossum — Chinese forget-me-not Dianthus — Pink, Sweet William Dyssodia — Dahlberg daisy Eschscholzia — California poppy Eustoma — Lisianthus, Prairie gentian Gaillardia — Blanket flower Gerbera — Transvaal daisy Gomphrena — Globe amaranth Gypsophila — Baby's breath Helichrysum — Strawflower |
Iberis — Rocket candytuftImpatiens — Garden balsam Ipomoea — Moonflower, Morning glory Lathyrus — Sweet pea Limonium — Statice, Sea lavender Lobelia — Lobelia Lobularia — Sweet alyssum Moluccella — Bells-of-Ireland Myosotis — Forget-me-not Nemesia — Pouch nemesia Nicotiana — Flowering tobacco Nigella — Nigella, Fennel flower Papaver — Poppy, Iceland poppy Pelargonium — Geranium Petunia — Petunia Phlox — Annual phlox Portulaca — Portulaca, moss rose Rudbeckia — Coneflower Salvia — Salvia, sage Senecio — Dusty miller Tagetes — Marigold Tithonia — Mexican sunflower Tropaeolum — Nasturtium Viola — Violet, Viola, Pansy Zinnia — Zinnia |
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Perennials |
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| Achillea — Yarrow Ajuga — Bugleweed Alchemilla — Lady's mantle Anaphalis — Pearly everlasting Aquilegia — Columbine Arabis — Rock cress Artemisia — Wormwood Aruncus — Goatsbeard Astilbe — Astilbe, False spirea Aurinia — Basket-of-gold Boltonia — Boltonia Campanula — Bellflower Cerastium — Snow-in-summer Coreopsis — Tickseed Delphinium — Delphinium, Larkspur Dianthus — Pink Dicentra — Bleeding heart Dictamnus — Gas plant Echinacea — Purple coneflower Erigeron — Fleabane Gaillardia — Blanket flower Geranium — Cranesbill Gypsophila — Baby's breath Heliopsis — False sunflower, oxeye Hemerocallis — Daylily Heuchera — Alumroot |
Hosta — Plantain lily Iris — Iris Lamium — Dead nettle Liatris — Blazing star, gay-feather Ligularia � Bigleaf goldenray Linum — Flax Lobelia — Cardinal flower Lychnis — Arkwright campion, rose campion Monarda — Bee balm Myosotis — Forget-me-not Oenothera — Sundrops, Primrose Paeonia — Peony Papaver — Poppy Perovskia — Azure sage, Russian sage Phlox — Prairie phlox Physotegia — Obedience, False dragonhead Ratibida — Prairie coneflower Rudbeckia — Coneflower, black-eyed Susan Salvia — Sage Scabiosa — Pincushion flower Sedum — Stonecrop Solidago — Goldenrod Thymus — Thyme Veronica — Speedwell Viola — Violet Yucca — Adam's needle |
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USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
View Map Here (73KB b&w image)
H322, January 2000
