Summer Color

By Ms Sherry

Super Olympia Rose Begonia

Warm days and nights seem as they might finally be here for good in East Central Alabama; the time for adding summer color to our gardens is upon us. Summer color is for me instant and intense gratification! Many are often hesitant to add bedding plants to their gardens because they feel the cost can become excessive for something that will only survive one season. Yes, it is true these beauties will fade when the days become shorter and the nights lengthen. But what a lift their blooms give your landscape and your spirits. Perennials are terrific and form the bones of the garden but often they bloom in spurts – so that there may be spells when there is no color in the landscape. This is when annuals make their biggest contribution; they literally bloom their little hearts out . . . for months. A trip to your local nursery or to one of the big box stores will reveal what seems like miles of blooms. A word of caution; take a deep breath before you enter the door. Remembering our earlier blog about the right plant in the right place; that guiding rule is just as important for a plant that will grow in your garden only for few months as it is for a tree that will grow for decades. Shade plants need to be in the shade, sun plants need to be in the sun. Some have higher water requirements than others. Plants that require a moist soil should be located closer to a water source if possible. Pulling hoses all over the yard is just not much fun. When you make your purchases, please look for healthy, green stocky plants, checking for diseases and insects. Leggy plants will need to be severely pinched to get them to change their appearance. Large beds of one color can be very appealing but a mixed bed of complementary colors is also pleasing to the eye. A plant here and a plant there do not create the same impressions as a mass planting. Take into account your house colors when you choose the flower color. Color can also come from the leaves as well as from the flowers. There is a huge variety of coleus available on the market that will grow in sun or shade. Water your purchases well before you put them in the ground. Prepare your bed, taking the time to amend the soil and loosen it well so the tender roots can take hold. Add a slow release fertilizer to the soil. Gently separate the roots so that they will grow into the soil and plant, placing them no deeper than they were growing in their cell packs. As you place your annuals, remember they do grow so take note of spacing requirements on the plant tag. Speaking of plant tags, those tags accompany plants from destinations in Washington State to Florida. So sun and shade requirements sometimes must be varied according to your climate. Once your bed is finished mulch it to conserve moisture and to keep the top from crusting over. Do not pile the mulch directly on your new babies as that can invite diseases and insects.  Water deeply and less frequently, allowing the soil to dry between waterings but not dry out. Do not drown your plants; nothing will kill a plant more quickly than having wet feet all the time.

My sister who loves adding annuals to her garden had told me about a green leafed begonia (which normally prefers shade) that can take part to full sun. It is called Super Olympia Rose and has beautiful dark pink blossoms. I have never had this begonia before and look forward to watching it mature. On the other side of the yard, I planted cherry profusion zinnias in containers. It is a wonderful smaller-flowered zinnia which is not prone to the powdery mildew problems of its larger siblings. For years I tried every new annual on the market; now I stick with the ones which for me are tried and true: begonias (for sun and shade),  zinnias (either the narrow leaf or the profusion) and impatiens. Those three offer so many choices in colors that I never get tired of them and they reward me with bountiful blossoms and lush foliage. 
Designing an area with bedding plants can bring out the artist in your soul. For me, there are so many choices available, so little room. Have fun.