April 21, 2006

Annuals: Bright Pink Petunias

Does this photo stir your gardening passions? Me, too. This supertunia petunia is one of the "Proven Winners" series and new this spring. It has bright pink flowers, is self-cleaning, grows up to 24" tall and spreads 2-3 feet. Look here to see all the awards it has won: Vista Bubblegum Great plant, but WHERE do they get those ridiculous names? On the site I linked to you can also learn about the Proven Winners program. Most nurseries carry these plants. If not, ask for them!

Look here for a concise primer on how to plant annuals.

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August 18, 2005

Snapdragons

This delightful flower comes in every shade under the sun except blue. Its botanical name, antirrhinum majus, means snout-like ("anti" meaning like and "rhinos," snout.) For generations children have loved watching the dragon jaw snap shut when opened up in just the right place. Gardeners love the variety of colors, sizes, hardiness, tendency to re-seed, and beauty for cut bouquets.

Snapdragons will act like short-lived perennials in certain climates and have the additional advantage of being deer-resistant. I have many of them planted in pots under the ponderosa pines by my kitchen door, and my deer and their ravenous fawns pass them right by. Not true of the roses and geraniums, which are the Belgian chocolate of the deer world.

Flower Gardens
My First Garden

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