Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Many gardeners would agree that marigolds have been making a comeback in recent years, and why not? New varieties have ben introduced in more colors and bloom sizes. Combine that with their long flowering season and how easy they are to grow – what gardener wouldn’t want all that? …
Story by Russell Studebaker Cockscomb (Celosia) plants have a crested form that looks like the comb on a rooster. But newer and hybrid plume types, like the cultivar ‘Dragon’s Breath’, look like ostrich feathers dipped in vivid red paint and are dramatic knock outs in the landscape. These annuals are in the amaranth family and …
‘Prairie Sun’ gloriosa daisy Story and Photos by Norman Winter @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy on Facebook ‘Prairie Sun’, one of the most striking gloriosa daisies ever, was chosen as an All-America Selections Award Winner years ago. This followed on the heels of ‘Indian Summer’, another outstanding selection. Thanks to progressive greenhouse growers and a new generation of landscape …
Bat-faced cuphea Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Referred to as “bat-faced” because of its interesting little bat-faced deep purple and bright red blooms, Cuphea llavea has become a favorite summer annual for many gardeners, including myself. Native to Central America and Mexico, bat-face cuphea thrives in full sun and heat. Blooms emerge in late spring and …
‘Strawberry Blonde’ French marigold Story by Clara A. Curtis Now why would I choose to feature such a humdrum, pedestrian, and easy to grow garden annual? Color and ease were my inspirations. The pastel peachy pink with yellow and gold undertone petals of ‘Strawberry Blonde’ French marigold change color over the season: pinky yellow tones …
Innovative ways to use annuals in your landscape Story by Kelly Bledsoe Whether your garden is a set of containers on a city balcony or an extensive country plot, annuals add color wherever you need it. And let’s face it … a garden just isn’t a garden without flowers! Even if vegetables are your passion, …
Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Gomphocarpus physocarpus has several common names – balloon plant, swan plant, balloon cotton-bush, and others – however, it is most commonly referred to as hairy balls. The name will surely draw a snicker from those with a sense of humor. Regardless of which name you prefer, hairy balls is …
Creative ways to incorporate annuals in your Kentucky garden Story and Photos by Rebecca Stoner Kirts basilbecky.blogspot.com So here we are in spring, excited and ready to dig into another year of gardening. I have my list of projects ready and am feeling smug about all I accomplished during the fall of last season. But …
Revving up your garden with seasonal color Story and Photos by Troy B. Marden troybmarden.com Annuals often get a bad rap. “They’re too costly!” “I have to plant them every year!” “I don’t want all of that maintenance!” These and many others are among the litany of excuses I hear from people not planting more …
Tips for getting more creative with these one-season wonders Story and Photos by Helen Newling Lawson Annuals – they’re easy to find, inexpensive, and simple to plant. And for season-long color, they just can’t be beat. But just because they’re easy, that doesn’t mean you should take the easy way out when using them. Challenge …
