Annuals for a quick color show - Special Issue: Spring-Summer 1994 Garden Guide

Sunset, Spring-Summer, 1994 by Dick Bushnell

Summer-blooming annuals are the flashy sprinters of the plant world. They pack all their energy into a single season of glorious color.

You can get a head start on summer by buying annuals in sixpacks or pots. If you're a more patient sort or want even greater color variety, you can buy seeds to start indoors or sow directly in the ground. But don't jump the gun: wait until all danger of frost is past before planting outdoors.

We list 12 surefire winners. Many of them make great bedding plants; see the chart below for spacing.

If you set plants       Here's the area one flat will
this far apart          cover (plants per flat)

                        48 plants              64 plants

4 in.                   4 1/2 sq. ft.          6 sq. ft.
6 in.                   10 sq. ft.             13 1/2 sq. ft.
8 in.                   18 sq. ft.             24 1/2 sq. ft.
10 in.                  28 1/2 sq. ft.         38 1/2 sq. ft.
12 in.                  41 1/2 sq. ft.         55 1/2 sq. ft.

FULL SUN

Ageratum (floss flower). Fluffy flower tassels come in shades of azure blue, lavender, pink, and white on plants 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall. Blooms early summer to fall.

Celosia (cockscomb). Striking flowers come in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple on plants 1 to 3 feet tall. C. argentea cristata has blooms resembling rooster combs; C. a. plumosa has blooms resembling ostrich plumes.

Globe amaranth (Gomphrena). Cloverlike blossoms in shades of red, pink, orange, purple, and white are borne on plants 1 to 2 feet tall. Blooms summer to fall. Marigold (Tagetes). Familiar flowers come in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, orange-red, and white on plants 6 inches to 4 feet tall. Blooms early summer to frost.

Petunia. Richly colored flowers come in red, pink, yellow, cream, white, blue, purple, and bicolors on plants 8 to 27 inches tall. Two main flower types: singles, with trumpet-shaped blooms; doubles, with ruffled blooms resembling carnations.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Huge, radiant blooms of yellow, orange, maroon, creamy white, and bicolors. Plants grow 2 to 12 feet tall, with flower heads from 4 to 12 inches across. Dwarf varieties, such as 'Sunspot', are often sold in gallon cans. Sow seeds of taller-growing kinds; allow ample space, and stake plants.

Zinnia. Showy round flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, white, and bicolors on plants 6 inches to 3 feet tall. Blooms summer to fall. SUN TO PART SHADE

Black-eyed Susan or gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta). Daisylike flowers with petals of yellow, gold, mahogany red, and bicolors surrounding purplish brown centers. Plants grow 8 to 36 inches tall.

Cosmos. Daisylike flowers come in yellow, orange, red, pink, white, and bicolors on plants 2 to 8 feet tall. Blooms late spring to fall.

Madagascar periwinkle (also sold as vinca rosea). Phloxlike flowers come in shades of pink, rose, lavender, and white on plants 4 to 24 inches tall. Blooms late spring to fall.

SHADE

Impatiens. Shade-loving show-offs come in almost every color except true blue. Buy plants by the color and size you want (they grow 8 to 20 inches tall).

Monkey flower (Mimulus hybridus). Velvety, two-lipped flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, and red; blossoms are often spotted, giving the impression of a smiling monkey face. Plants grow 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall.