Planting and Caring for ANNUAL FLOWERS

Trees and shrubs form the backbone of the landscape, providing height and winter interest. Perennials add seasonal flowers and lush foliage textures. Annuals are also a vital part of the landscape, bringing drifts of dramatic color all season long. Annual flowers can’t be beat when cascading from a window box, or filling a container on the patio. With the proper care, annual flowers can take center stage in your garden from spring until frost. Choose the right varieties: When you shop for plants, be familiar with the garden areas where the flowers will be planted. Is it in sun or shade? Is the soil loose and rich or heavy clay? Will you be able to water the area frequently or will it be prone to drought? Is it exposed to strong winds? Discuss the conditions with our sales staff and choose the best varieties for your garden.

Prepare the soil:

Good soil is vital to the success of annual flowers. If you will be planting the annuals in containers, choose containers with a drain hole and room for root development. Use a loose, well-drained potting mix in your containers. If you will be planting annuals in the existing soil in your garden, you may need to amend the soil. Soil with high amounts of clay or sand need a considerable amount of organic matter (i.e. peat moss, compost, etc) added to it before planting. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of the organic matter on the soil, spade or rototill it in to a depth of 6 inches, then rake the bed smooth with a rake before planting.

Planting:

Remove the plants from the cell packs by gently pushing up on the bottom of the cell to loosen the root ball. Carefully lift the plant from the container. Set the plant in a planting hole slightly lower than it was in the container. Fill the hole with water, and let the water soak in. Backfill around the root ball with soil and lightly pack it in with your hands. Plants may wilt slightly after transplanting, which is normal. To reduce wilting, choose healthy, sturdy plants and plant them during the cooler mornings or evenings or on an overcast day.

Aftercare:

For annuals to perform at peak levels, they need a constant supply of moisture. A deep soaking is much better than frequent, light watering. Deep watering encourages development of a healthy root system that can withstand some neglect. For vigorous plants and showy blooms, an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer (i.e. Peters or Miracle Grow) may be applied throughout the growing season. Adding a thin layer of mulch such as peat moss, shredded mulches, compost, cocoa bean hulls, or cotton burr hulls to the flower bed after planting will help conserve moisture, reduce weeding, modify the soil temperature, and improve the structure and condition of the soil. If a plant becomes too tall or leggy, the main stem can be “pinched” or cut out, causing a new and vigorous round of growth and many more blossoms. This also creates a more compact, bushy plant. Another solution to tall, leggy plants is to stake the plant. A support stake made of bamboo, wire, wood, or plastic is inserted near the base of the plant. String or a stretchable tie material is used to tie the stem to the stake. Spent flower should be removed or deadheaded as they fade, encouraging the plants to produce more flowers.

Occasionally, insects or diseases may attack your annual flowers. Larger infestations may require spraying an insecticide. Most diseases can be avoided by watering early in the morning, wetting the soil only (not the foliage), or by allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.