Annual and
Perennial FAQ
What
is dead-heading and why should I do it?
Why
are my Impatiens yellow and wilted?
Zinnias have a
powdery white substance on leaves..
I started my
marigold seeds outdoors, why aren't they
growing?
Why aren't my
Impatiens seeds germinating?
What are some
annual flowers that will bloom in late Summer?
I have a small
space in full sun where I would like to
plant annuals. What do you
recommend?
Please recommend
annuals that will do well in a shady area.
What annuals do you
suggest for a low maintenance planting?
Please explain the
difference between cool weather annuals and
warm weather annuals.
I am looking for
annuals that can be use for fragrance as well
as color
I need to grow my
annuals in containers, which ones are suited
for that purpose?
I would like to plant an
annual cutting garden. Which annuals would be
best for this?
How do I know when my
last frost date is?
How many hours of
sun is full sun?
Q: What is dead-heading and why should I do it?
A: Dead-heading is the process of taking the dead flower heads off the plant to force the plant to produce more flowers. Annuals live for one growing season. In that time the main goal of the plant is to produce as much seed as possible to ensure the survival of the species. Flowers precede the seeds, therefore when you pick off the dead flowers the plant must produce more until the end of the season.
Q: Why are my Impatiens yellow and wilted?
A: If your Impatiens are in full sun, they are suffering from sunburn. Impatiens only thrive in the shade. If they are in the shade, the problem could be with lack of nutrients. Give all your annuals a dose of liquid fertilizer every two or three weeks to keep them in good shape.
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Q: My Zinnias looked healthy until I recently notice a powdery, white substance on their leaves. What is wrong?
A: Zinnias get a fungus called "Powdery Mildew" due to too much moisture on and around the leaves. This could happen during a rainy stretch of weather or from being watered in the late afternoon by the gardener. The leaves just never get a chance to dry off. There are fungicides which can control this problem but there is no cure once it has affected the plants. Try to avoid getting water on the leaves by using a soaker hose to water or apply water in the morning, leaving enough time for the sun to dry the leaves off.
Q: I started my Marigold seeds outdoors on April 20th to get a head start on the season. I am in zone 6b. They took longer than I expected to germinate. Now they don't seem to be growing at all. What is wrong?
A: In zone 6b, April 20th is too early to sow most annual flower seeds outdoors. Especially this year because it was cool and wet for so long. Annuals need higher temps to germinate and grow normally. In your zone, annual flower seeds should be sown in the beginning of June for best results. If you want to get a jump on the season, start your seeds indoors and then transplant them into the ground once the soil has warmed up in the Spring.
Q: Why aren't my Impatiens seeds germinating?
A: Impatiens seeds need near perfect conditions to germinate. You need to supply them with a constant air temperature of 75-78 degrees,
adequate lighting, uniform soil temperature, and constant moisture (daily misting). If just one of these variables is not met, the germination results will be less than expected.
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Q: What are some annual flowers that will bloom in late Summer?
A: Annuals that take up the slack in late Summer when other plants are fading are Zinnia, Cosmos, Cleome, Salvia, Sunflower, Morning Glory, and Mexican Sunflower.
Q: I have a small space in full sun where I would like to plant annuals. What do you recommend?
A: Try to use dwarf varieties for small areas. Some full sun lovers are, Marigold, Zinnia, Dwarf Sunflower, Sweet Alyssum, Salvia, Calendula, and many herbs will do well in the area you have described.
Q: Please recommend annuals that will do well in a shady area.
A: To brighten up a shady area use Impatiens, Forget-Me-Not, Coleus, bedding Begonia, dianthus, Phlox and Pansy.
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Q: What annuals do you suggest for a low-maintenance planting? I have an area in front of my house that is in the sun most of the day.
A: Most annuals will provide a summer-long splash of color, provided you give them a small amount of your time in return. Dead-heading (picking off dead flowers) every one to two weeks will keep your annuals producing an abundance of flowers until frost. Alyssum, Ageratum, Marigolds, Zinnia, Sunflowers, Salvia, Cleome, Four O Clocks, Helichrysum, California Poppy are a few good choices for your planting bed. Remember to arrange shorter plants in the front of the bed to taller plants in the back.
Q: Please explain the difference between cool weather annuals and warm weather annuals.
A: Cool weather annuals flower earlier in the year than warm weather annuals. Some cool weather annuals include; Snapdragon, Pansy, Alyssum, Sweet Pea, Nasturtium, and Bachelor Buttons.
Warm weather annuals include; Sunflower, Zinnia, Salvia, Cosmos, Cleome, Helichrysum, and Portulaca.
Q: I am looking for annuals that can be use for fragrance as well as color in my garden. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Sweet Alyssum, Sweet William, Sweet pea, Four O Clock, Nicotiana, Petunia and Marigolds make wonderful additions to any annual fragrance garden. You may also use annual herbs for fragrance mixed with your flowers. Basil, anise, dill, borage, chervil, parsley and coriander are productive as well as beautiful in any garden.
Q: I need to grow my annuals in containers due to lack of space. Can you suggest the best flowers for that purpose?
A: If the containers are to be in full sun 6 or more hours a day, choose dwarf types of these annuals; Zinnia, Marigold, Salvia, Nicotiana, Ageratum, Petunia, and Sweet Alyssum and Candytuft. If containers will be in shade choose these types, Impatiens, Coleus, Dianthus, Phlox, Pansy,
fibrous Begonia, and Forget Me Nots.
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Q: I would like to plant an
annual cutting garden. Which flowers would be the best choice for this?
A: Cutting gardens provide you with beautiful fresh cut flowers all summer long! Here is a list of some of the most popular flowers for cutting: Snapdragon, Calendula, Aster, Celosia, Bachelor Button, Cosmos, Sweet William, Gypsophila, Sunflower, Candytuft, Sweet Pea, Mexican Sunflower, and Zinnia. The best time to collect cut flowers is in the morning while the dew is still moist. Immediately immerse the cut flowers in lukewarm water. When you have gathered all the flowers you will need, pull all the bottom leaves off the stems to lessen bacteria growth in the water and arrange flowers as soon as possible.
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Q: How do I know when my last
frost date is?
A: We cannot predict exactly when the last frost date will occur in any given year. The best thing to do is find out the average date of the last frost in your area by asking gardening friends or calling your local Cooperative Extension Service. Regardless, the last frost date is never guaranteed. It may come a week earlier than expected or 2 weeks later than expected. Watch the local weather
forecasts around the time of the last frost and be prepared to cover tender plants if late frosts are in the forecast.
Q: How may hours of sun is full sun?
A: Full sun is 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part sun is 4-6 hours a day, and Full shade is 4 or less hours a day. In warmer areas sun loving plants may do better in part shade.
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