For the Garden by Haefner's Greenhouse - Plants, Perennials, Trees, Shrubs & More!

Contact For the Garden Today!

Articles

Wonderful New Annuals for 2007

by Marsha Haefner

as seen in "The Gateway Gardener" - April 2007

If you look forward to a garden full of color that lasts from early spring to frost, you must love annuals! Annuals grow quickly and are easy to maintain. They will work harder than most any other plants in the garden when placed where they are happy. Annuals often play a major role when it comes to creating fabulous garden beds and containers. Their classic appeal can add dazzle to any garden area.

Now that planting season is about to begin the big question is, “What’s new?” The answers are part of the fun of gardening with annuals. If you tried something last year that you didn’t particularly like or that didn’t live up to it’s promise you get to try something different this year! Garden catalogues and magazines are full of information about the many exciting introductions for this spring. The list is long, but will each new plant will perform or even survive the extreme growing conditions in our area? (You know, it’s too hot…too cold…too wet… too dry… in St. Louis. You get the picture!) Let’s edit this list to a few selections that are expected to be true winners for St.Louis area gardens.

Brazilian Fireworks Maracas may be the plant you’ve been looking for. This selection will add life and color to shady garden areas. Think of an area that’s right for hostas, add some summer heat, and you’ve found the perfect home for this colorful new annual. Long, angular, deep green leaves contain a silver variegation that becomes more pronounced when planted in deep shade. At the center of each plant is a bloom cluster in vivid pink and bright purple (fireworks!) that will bloom continuously all summer long! Brazilian Fireworks is perfect in containers, borders, shade garden beds and even as indoor house plants. These plants grow only 8-12 inches tall and are a delight to feasting hummingbirds!

‘Tukana Raspberry’ Verbena hybrid is a sensational addition to the Verbena series. This plant features large flowers that are dark raspberry in the center fading to neon pink at the edge of the petals. This unique bright bloomer likes full sun, grows 5-8 inches tall and can serve a variety of proposes. ‘Tukana Raspberry’ is perfect for window boxes, hanging baskets, landscaping and combination planters – plant in any sunny spot you want a vivid splash of color! ‘Tukana Raspberry’s claim to fame may be how well it mixes with other sun-loving annuals such as Bacopa, Heuchera and Lobelia. Pair it with ‘Vista Bubblegum’ Supertunia and you’ve got a delightful pink winner that will put on a show all summer long. This selection may be something all of you pink and purple loving gardeners may want to try!

‘Opal Innocence’ Nemesia is in the must have category for garden centers this year. This delicate looking bloomer was selected as the Country Living Gardeners Editors Choice for 2007 for a very good reason. ‘Opal Innocence’ is a heat tolerant bloomer that is as fragrant as it is beautiful. Clusters of tiny white flowers with pink, lavender and blue overtones are comparable to the colors in an opal. This unique choice is perfect for containers and garden beds that will be viewed up-close to appreciate its finer details. This is an annual that is perfect planted in mass, or mixed with other plants to complement its delicate features. Plant ‘Opal Innocence’ in sun or partial shade for best results. How about using it as the finishing touch to a moon garden?

Supertunia ‘Rasberry Blast’ is the latest addition to the Supertunia family. This selection is a perfect choice when things really heat up in summer. Its rose pink and white flowers that abound on cascading foliage are what make this new bloomer unique. This annual is perfect for large landscape areas, large containers and combination planters. It has a nice mounding habit and is somewhat compact compared to other Supertunia varieties. It just wouldn’t be spring without a new Supertunia to try, and ‘Rasberry Blast’ could be what gives your sunny garden spaces the WOW this growing season!

These selections are just a small sample of what you will find at St. Louis area garden centers this spring. There are so many new plants to try each year, and deciding which ones to plant in your garden can be difficult. Just keep in mind where you’re going to be planting (sun, part sun, shade) and where you will view your gardens and containers (from across the yard or next to your favorite lawn chair). Then pick what you like! There is truly something magical about this time of the year. Have a great time digging in!