Annual flowers are seldom appreciated as they should be, for they are the backbone of the summer garden. They are the answer to the renter’s prayer for some inexpensive bloom.
They are a godsend to the new homeowner who does not have time or maybe money to get hardy flowers for the first season. Nothing else takes the raw edge and appearance away from a bare yard as fast as annual flowers. And yet the average gardener knows too few of them.
Take one of the many seed catalogs that list annuals and start reading it. Even if you never order a single packet of seed you will have had your money’s worth. But chances are you will be so interested in some of the flowers that you will just have to order Diem.
I still remember the time that I ordered every year in the biggest catalog, which I did not know or wanted to know better. It took almost half an acre to plant them all.
But it was wonderful to be able to go through that catalog and say “I have grown that one.” Any gardener can do the same if he will just try a few new ones each year.
Let’s skip the usual zinnias, marigolds, and petunias and look at some of the others.
Anchusa
The anchusa ‘Bluebird’ grows a foot or more in height with blue flowers. If you will start it indoors or buy the plants, browallia, either data or ‘Sapphire,’ will also add blue to the garden.
Candytuft
Candytuft is an old-fashioned favorite that has been neglected. Although it may not bloom well during hot weather, it is showy during cooler periods. Calliopsis just begs to have a chance to bloom. Even small plants in the barren ground and plenty of suns will bloom.
Celosia
Celosia is one of the toughest, even in hot summers. The ostrich plume kinds are more light and airy, but the Gilbert varieties add a wide color range to the old-fashioned cockscomb.
Clarkias
For an old-fashioned touch use balsam or touch-me-not. If your summer is cool enough, Clarkias will thrive. They do not take too hot nights off much of the corn belt.
Tulip Poppy
It is too bad the tulip poppy is illegal even though it still comes up in any garden that ever had it, but the sprightly Shirley poppy is both legal and charming. A poppy relative, the hunnemannia, is gorgeous and well worth the effort of starting it early indoors for its summer-long mass of yellow flowers.
Dianthus
All too few appreciate the annual pinks or dianthus. Most of them will live and bloom for several years. If you do not let the Chinese forget-me-nots go to seed, they will not endanger your nylons with their stick-tight seeds. Cut them back after the first bloom and they will bloom again.
Gaillardias
Annual gaillardias, although not quite as showy as their hardy sisters, will bloom all summer in the hottest and driest places.
Dwarf Snapdragons
The dwarf snapdragons, ‘Magic Carpet’ and ‘Tom Thumb’ are good for the front of the border and rock garden. If mulched they may live over for a second season.
Godetias
Godetias are glorious if they do well, but again they are cool-season plants that love cool nights. Salpiglossis is in the same class.
Nierembergia
The cup flower or nierembergia is slowly coming into its own. Its lavender flowers are a better color than the ‘Pink Heather’ alyssum we grew last summer. Good plants can be kept indoors over winter and propagated from cuttings.
Nicotianas
The nicotianas are in a class by themselves whether you grow the sweet-scented night flowering or the day blooming forms.
Portulacas
Portulacas or rose moss ask only for a hot sunny spot. If you are allergic to some of these colors, then buy separate colors.
Torenia
Wishbone flowers or torenia can take sun or a surprising amount of shade. Start them in a cold frame for earlier bloom.
No doubt your favorite has been overlooked but if you grow only a few mentioned, your garden will be the better for them. Then next year try another dozen or so.
44659 by Victor H. Ries