Some annuals need very little maintenance
Some folks believe annuals are too demanding, requiring frequent attention in the form of pruning, deadheading, replanting and fertilizing. While this may be true for some prima donnas, many annuals are low maintenance, undemanding plants, unbeatable for nonstop color and interest in the garden. What's more, annuals are a quick-growing and inexpensive choice to fill in the gaps between immature perennials, and they are essential for containers.
Flowering vinca is a great choice for a place in the sun, whether in the garden or in containers. Sometimes referred to as “impatiens for the sun,” these heat-loving beauties are the perfect pick for those who love the look of impatiens but have a sunny spot to fill.
Their pretty flowers closely resemble those of impatiens, and the plants typically grow to a similar height of about 10 to 12 inches. Although they may not produce flowers as prolifically as impatiens, their flowers are bigger and the shiny, mounding foliage is attractive as well. Flowers are in shades of white, pink, red and violet, many with attractive, contrasting eyes.
Best of all, like impatiens, these plants are self-cleaning; no deadheading required. Give them lots of sun, good drainage and a monthly shot of fertilizer, and they will thrive. Pacifica Burgundy Halo, a particularly stunning variety, has wine-colored flowers with contrasting white eyes.
Fan flower makes a good companion for vinca, in containers or along the garden's edge. Like vinca, it thrives in sunny, warm locations and doesn't need deadheading. It has a rambling, trailing habit, great for filling in empty spots in the border or softening container edges. As its common name suggests, the unusual, flat flowers of this plant resemble fans, and they are available in shades of blue, purple and white.
Million bells, botanically named Calibrachoa, is an ideal choice for sunny containers. It has a long, cascading habit and is covered with hundreds of tiny, petunia-like flowers all summer long.
Breeders have gone crazy with this plant, and there are many colors available including red, yellow, pink, white, purple, terra cotta, and combinations of these. Plant some in a hanging basket or window box, and let them go. They won't need any deadheading to keep them blooming.
Pentas are one of my favorite summer annuals. Their showy clusters of star-like flowers bloom in shades of red, pink, lavender and white, over attractive green or variegated foliage. Easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil, these pretty plants have an upright, mounding habit that mixes well with other annuals or perennials in containers or the garden.
They attract butterflies and hummingbirds too. They do require some deadheading, but the blooms are last a long time, so this is not a time-consuming task.
For extra easy care, consider some annual grasses, which are attractive all summer with no need to deadhead. Purple fountain grass is a graceful, red-purple favorite — a classic for containers.
Millet, a coarse, foliaged grass, adds a bolder, upright element. For a delicate touch, plant some Fiber Optic Grass to tumble around a container's edge and let the fine, bright green blades and tiny, star-like blooms soften the effect.
Check out the many new coleus for your containers. There are a staggering number to choose from, in just about any size or color you could want. Many have been bred specifically for the sun, but there are plenty for the shade as well. Water regularly and pick off any flowers as they form for the best performance.
Don't overlook begonias. With their shiny, bronze or green leaves and delicate flowers, wax begonias are good for borders or small containers, and they are drought resistant as well as shade tolerant.
Dragon wing begonias thrive in sun to shade, and their weather-resistant, vigorous, spreading habit and pendulous red or pink flowers make them a good choice for hanging baskets.
Fill in a protected corner with some splashy, colorful caladiums. Available in various combinations of green, white, red and pink, these tropical beauties lend a leafy, upright effect in containers. They require little care other than regular watering and occasional fertilizer.
Choose annuals that require little maintenance and spend your summer enjoying their beauty instead of caring for them.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.