Annuals to Grow Again

Category: Plants | Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:01 pm

Like many other gardeners I try to limit the number of annuals that I put in my garden. It is nice to not have to worry about starting seeds and caring for tiny seedlings....BUT this year I discovered some new-to-me types that will be a MUST for next year!

Decor Zinnias- I can not praise them enough! The plants are HUGE sprawling shrubs almost with stems thicker than my thumb! The flowers are coral or chartreuse and perfect for cutting. On the coral flowered plants some flowers are as big as my hand. One of the coral colored ones has a flower that is almost a rich rose...so pretty. The chartruese are a little less vigorous but the flowers are so full and so pretty, they completely outshine the green envy type I've also planted.

Grandpa Ott's Morning Glories- Another WOW! One tiny plant has grown to envelop this entire stump (see above picture, behind zinnias). The vines have wrapped around themselves to form a 2 inch thick rope. Every day it is covered profusely with velvety electric purple blossoms. BTW, I fertilized mine and it hasn't hurt the blooming one bit!

This is supposed to be a perennial where I live, but for most it is an annual....Moonflowers! Mine are finally starting to bloom...the buds look like soft serve ice cream cones and in the evening open into giant trumpets with a beautiful fragrance. My husband and I decided they smell like fresh clean laundry...kind of a clean cotton scent. The vine is pretty on it's own...heart shaped green leaves and stems of purple.

I will also always grow Cosmos. I knew I loved them...the tall stately plants with feathery leaves and stems...but I tried a new one...Candy stripe..and I love them! They come in striped pink, or pink edged white...both pretty, but I think I like the white the best.

No matter what, I know I will be growing these annuals again. I am separating the Decor zinnias by color so I can try to grow the green ones instead of the Envy variety.

If you can find these types I would highly recommend them. It is very hot and humid here and they have all performed like champs!

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cajunbelle wrote on Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:31 pm:

Everything looks great. I didn't get a white moonflower vine this year, they both died for some reason. But I do have 2 lavender vines. The flowers are not near as big, but they are so lovely.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/katladie/pic185359.jpg[/IMG]

cajunbelle wrote on Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:33 pm:

Sorry, I don't know why this didn't do in a blog unless it is different here. I will post a pic on the forum side.

toni wrote on Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:35 pm:

I have been purposely avoiding annuals for years because I wanted something that come back year after year too.

I haven't seen those zinnias around but will be looking for them, I love zinnias.

You are so right about the other annuals. I have Grampa Ott Morning Glories that I will be growing again next year.
I had a Moonflower vine a few years ago, the seeds didn't produce the next year and I haven't replaced them yet but plan to.
I had two packets of assorted wildflowers that I seeded a large wood planter box with last spring, lots of Cosmos seed in it and I love them, so I plan on having more around the garden next year too.

hummingbird3172 wrote on Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:05 pm:

Here is where I got the Decor seeds: http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/packpg/flowers/zinnia-decor.htm

I have lavender moonvine and pink moonvine too, but neither has bloomed yet. The lavender doesn't seem to be growing as fast. I bought the pink as a vine, so hopefully I'll get some flowers soon.

Here is where you can find Candy Stripe cosmos: http://www.gardenguides.com/seedcatalog/flowers/cosmoscandystripe.asp

The plants are very tall...about 4ft I believe....they seem more sturdy than the Sensation Mix I usually grow.