Home-garden expert Jim Johnson with the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service shares some tips for growing annuals at home, beginning with cool-season annuals: Pansies (figure A) should be planted in full sun, in masses as border or bedding plants. They also do well in low containers. Pansies thrive in rich, well-drained soil. Cultivate the soil surrounding these plants for best results. Most primulas, or primroses (figure B), are perennials, some of which are grown as annuals. They prefer well-drained soil and require full sun or shade, depending on the species. Summer-blooming shade-tolerant annuals: Impatiens walleriana (busy Lizzie) (figure C), a subshrubby perennial usually grown as an annual, requires filtered light or shade and a fast-draining soil rich in organic matter. If you plant from nursery six-packs, loosen the root ball gently, then place each plant in fresh potting soil, making sure you don't bury the crown of the plant. Water well after planting, then wait for the top 2" of soil to dry before watering again. Apply no fertilizer until plants begin to grow, then fertilize every two weeks with 0-10-10. Impatiens make good container or bedding plants. Coleus (Solenostemon) is a perennial typically grown as an annual or a houseplant. Grown for their brilliant and varied foliage, these tropical plants require partial shade, ample water and a rich, fast-draining soil. Plants stay more compact if their flower spikes are pinched back. Sun-loving annuals: Marigolds (Tagetes) (figure D) are easy, dependable plants that require full sun and well-drained soil. Many types are available, ranging in size from a few inches to a few feet in height. Marigolds come in white, yellow, red, orange and combinations of those colors. Many believe that marigolds help repel insect pests, so they're often planted in and around vegetable patches. Plant them later in the season, and they'll bloom until the first frost. Verbenas (figure E) require heat to perform well, so plant them in the hottest part of your garden. Well-drained soil is mandatory, as verbenas won't tolerate wet roots. Madagascar periwinkle, or vinca (Catharanthus roseus) (figure F), resembles impatiens and may be used in a sunny part of an impatiens bed as a filler. Plants bloom all summer and into the fall and are available in a variety of pinks and white. All parts of the plant cause severe discomfort if consumed. Barberton, or Transvaal, daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) (figure G) require full sun or partial shade in the hottest climates. Because they're a favorite food of slugs and snails, it's wise to surround the plants with copper barriers or diatomaceous earth to protect them. All gerberas need excellent drainage. Plant 2' apart for best results. Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) (figure H), an evergreen shrub or subshrub usually grown as an annual, is valued for its silver foliage. Pick off flowers to keep plants bushy and full. Dusty miller grows in full sun or partial shade and requires very little water. It makes an excellent border plant and an accent for colorful annual flowers. In order to get the most from your annuals, feed them with a slow-release fertilizer, or regularly apply a water-soluble product.
GUESTS :
Jim Johnson
UT Agricultural Extension
5201 Marchant Drive
Nashville, TN 37211-5201
Phone: 615-834-5162
Fax: 615-832-0043
Website: http://www.utextension.utk.edu
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
