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Plants: Annuals

Annuals are plants that should be installed after the last hard frost, usually Memorial Day Weekend, and will continue growing in size and color until the first hard frost in the fall. This group of plants will add color in the garden continually as long as they are watered and maintained properly.

There are many kinds of annuals and they can be used in many applications such as containers, incorporating in the foundation, cut flowers, borders, hanging baskets and massing by themselves. Annuals will do best in a high organic soil. Incorporating compost, planting mix and mycorrhiza into the soil will give your plants a head start.

There are a number of annuals that may act like perennials because of the large amount of seed they drop in the fall. This seed remains viable over the winter and new plants emerge in and around the area where the annual was planted the previous season. Plants like cleome, snapdragon, amaranth, cosmos, and petunia are examples.

Breeders of annuals have introduced many kinds of colors, textures, sizes and types of annuals that can be planted in the sun or shade. Proven Winners is one of the largest groups of annuals we offer. We also have an extensive line of Geraniums, Kong Coleus, Double Impatiens’s, Wave Petunias , New Guinea Impatiens and much more.

General Maintenance*

Watering

Annuals need about an inch of water a week. If Mother Nature doesn't provide, you will have to help. If watering is needed, water deeply to encourage deep root growth. Try to keep the foliage dry during watering. If you must use an overhead sprinkler, use it early in the day so the foliage will be dry by nightfall, lessening the chance of disease. If you are concerned about conserving water, choose annuals that are drought tolerant like, cleome, dusty miller, petunias or zinnia.

Fertilizing

Most annuals will do better if you fertilize them regularly. We sell Espoma Plant Tone and Miracle Gro; both are excellent fertilizers and will encourage better growth, blooms and nutrient absorption.

Mulching

The addition of a two to three inch layer of mulch will make the bed more attractive, reduce weeds, and conserve soil moisture. Bark mulch is the most common mulch used and available in different blends. Other options for cover are Buckwheat Hulls, Cocoa Shells or Compost. Keep in mind weeds will not entirely stop from penetrating, but will be minimized. Organic mulches are best.

Weeding

Weeding not only keeps the bed more attractive, but also eliminates possible hosts for insects and disease and allows the flowers to receive the full benefit of the available moisture and nutrients. Weed carefully when the annuals are young so as not to disturb the young roots.

Pruning/Pinching

The amount of care required by annuals varies. Most will need to have faded flowers removed (called deadheading) to encourage new blooms and keep the plant attractive. Many will become bushier if the top is pinched out. Remove the plants in the fall when the foliage begins to fade.

Annuals for Shade

Rare is the plant that will flower in heavy shade, but many do well with four hours or less of direct sunlight. Plants must often compete with trees and shrubs for moisture and nutrients. If the shade is due to structures, proper plant selection is important. For very heavy shade select impatiens, begonia, coleus, browallia, fuchsia and torenia. For light shade, lobelia, nicotiana, red salvia, pansy, alyssum, dusty miller, impatiens, begonia, ageratum, and dianthus.

Annuals for Sun

Hot and dry areas are common along the edges of pavement or in front of light colored, south facing walls. Intense heat dries the ground quickly and tests the staying power of most annuals. Protect plants in these locations with a thick mulch and water thoroughly. Try amaranthus, celosia, vinca, gazania, melampodium, ornamental pepper, blue salvia, zinnia, verbena, portulaca, dusty miller, petunia or strawflower.

*Because there are many types of annuals, care can vary. Make sure to consult with one of our Horticulturists if you want specific information.

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