Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 3: Annuals Worth Buying

April 27, 2017

Every variety is not equal, so discover which options are not only beautiful but also disease-resistant.

Friends don’t let friends buy annuals — or do they? This week we’ll talk about which of these fleeting gems are truly worth spending money on. We’ll discuss which annuals are our favorites in pots and which ones are best for filling in gaps in the garden. Looking for something that won’t require tons of water or fertilizer? We’ve got that covered, too. 

Expert: Barbara Libner, container garden designer for Ravenna Gardens in Seattle, Washington.

What’s not to love about ‘Lemon Gem’ marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia ‘Lemon Gem’)? They thrive in terrible soil, bloom all summer, are pest-resistant, and you can even eat the flowers…although don’t expect Steve to partake.

Although its leaf shape and odor might remind you of a certain illegal plant, ‘Sparkler Mix’ cleome (Cleome hassleriana ‘Sparkler Mix’) remains one of Danielle’s favorite annuals. Actually, maybe that’s why she loves it so much…

Despite his questionable gardening skills, Steve always manages to start a hearty crop of jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum) for himself (and his grateful staff) each year.

If you’re looking for an annual that truly blooms for months and months, look no further than ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia (Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'). 

Featured Plants:

  • Sparkler Mix cleome (Cleome hassleriana)
  • Castor bean (Ricinus communis and cvs.)
  • ‘Pretoria’ canna
  • Petunias
  • Calibrachoa cvs.
  • Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum)
  • Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides cvs.)
  • ‘Alabama Sunet’ coleus
  • ‘Lime Zinger’ coleus
  • Lemon Gem/Tangerine Gem marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia cvs.)
  • Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus cvs.)
  • ‘Sea Shells’ cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sea Shells’)
  • Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana cvs.)
  • Violas (Viola spp. and cvs.)
  • ‘Angel Amber Kiss’ viola (Viola cornuta ‘Angel Amber Kiss’)
  • Under the Sea® series coleus
  • ‘Inky Fingers’ coleus
  • ‘Trailing Lava Rose’ coleus
  • Coprosma
  • Zinnias
  • Diamond Frost® euphorbia (Euphorbia ‘Inneuphdia’)
  • Geraniums (Pelargonium spp. and cvs.)
    Pelargonium ‘Tricolor’
    Pelargonium ‘Frank Headley’
    Pelargonium ‘Wilhelm Langguth’ (which might be synonymous with ‘Wilhelm Langath’)
  • Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’
  • Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas cvs.)
  • Verbenas (Verbena spp. and cvs.)

 

 

 

 

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