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Lots of Color is What I Like

by: Tom MacCubbin

Stokes Aster
Photo Credit: Tom MacCubbin

Updated: 4/4/2020 6:40:25 AM

 

If you don't know it by now, I like a lot of color in the landscape.  We should all be adding at least a few flowers but I like to add lots of flowers.

Take time to visit your garden center and check out the impressive seasonal color from the  perennials now available -- many are in bloom.  Some favorites include the black-eyed Susan, bush daisy, coral plant, firespike Joseph?s coat, horsemint, lantana, pentas, Porterweed, Shasta daisy, Stokes aster and more.   In a time when we need to stretch our gardening dollars perennials are good buys as most can grow for a year or more in the landscape.

Still, there is room for annual color too -- it's hard to beat their instant and often intense displays of blooms.  Some are what we call long term annuals like impatiens, begonias, coleus and periwinkle.  Did you realize that three begonias can fill a hanging basket for months of enjoyment for just a few dollars?  Now that's a bargain.   Others for several months of spring color include ageratum, celosia, marigolds, nicotiana, portulaca and zinnias.  

Spring gardeners traditionally pass by the bulb displays at the local garden centers.  Even the enticing pictures don't seem to be enough to convince us to plant a few.  Are we spoiled and need  blooming container grown plants to help make the purchase or is it we are just not familiar with the many bulbs?

It's just a guess, but most likely names such as achimenes, eucharis lily and blood lily are not known by many residents.  They don't realize these are some of the great, usually carefree bulbs.  The achimenes are African violet relatives that make attractive  hanging baskets and ground covers for the warmer months. Eucharis lilies flower during the winter and love the shade and blood lilies grow in light shade or sun to produce balls of bright red spring blooms.  And you just have to plant caladiums, a bulb that has made Florida famous.

Adding color to the landscape is just one of my Gotta Do's.? Then let's get growing.

Tom's Gotta Dos for January

Dealing with Cold Damaged Plants

Tomato Time

Time is growing short for Tomato planting

Amazon or Eucharis Lilies Flowering on Time

A large shrub or tree is a good place for Amazon Lilies

Plants that Don't Mind the Cold

Plants that Don't Mind the Cold

Joani's Corner: Pentunia Time

Petunias are native to South America

 
 

Past Articles

  • Help Your Poinsettia Be a Repeat Performer

  • Winter Weed Problems

 

  • Too Many Acorns This Year?

  • Joani's Corner: Time To Prepare for Cold

 

  • Plants Keep Perfect Time

  • Reliable Cool Season Color

 

  • Easy To Grow Florida Onions

  • Joani's Corner: Butterfly Gardening

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