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Have a Favourite Annual?

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Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:14 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

This year my favourite is Salvia Black & Blue. I have a "uni pot" containing about 5 plants of it. The hummingbirds seem to love it too. I think I'll use even more of it next year!

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Show me your fave, OK?

Gardenbug - Ontario, Zone "4/5"
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Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 04:59 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

That is a pretty salvia Marie.

My favorite changes from year to year. Now I have to say it's vinca which laughs at the heat of summer and is the last to succumb to frost. I can even lift it out to plant spring bulbs beneath them. And the come in so many colors. They look similar to New Guinea impatiens but tolerate sun so much better.



The next 2 are runner ups: Lisianthus and Angelonia:Angelonia because it's pretty and stands tall on the hottest summer days and Lisianthus because it's just so darn pretty.

Plantynut - New York, Zone "7"
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Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 01:33 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

My favorite this year has been White Verbena...its so fresh and clean looking, and so easy, and looks good with everything.



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Verdant0green - Northern California, Zone "9"
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Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 02:25 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

My favourite is again Verbena bonariensis. It looks so slender, yet it is so strong. The over 1 m high stems stand up without support in winds and rains - and flourishes in hot sun and dry soil. And it flowers from late June till frosts.

Here it makes a lovely combination with Anemone hupehensis.

Papula - Southern Finland, Helsinki area, Zone ""USDA 4-5""
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Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 02:34 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

For me it's usually the zinnias. There are so many colors and varieties to choose. When other things are beginning to fade they offer a welcome continuance of color.
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Starzgarden - Michigan, Zone "five"
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Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 06:10 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I'm enjoying this thread with all your beautiful suggestions!

Gardenbug - Ontario, Zone "4/5"
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Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 11:34 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

This is my favorite this year.

This is the first time I've tried this one. It's a perennial in warm climates and I understand can get quite large. I love the baby blue color.

Seil - Michigan, Zone "6"
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Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 04:27 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Seil, I have a friend who used to surround her outdoor swimming pool with plumbago. She kept the plants in her greenhouse over the winter and they did well. She often had problems with white fly and aphids in the greenhouse, but cleaned it out carefully and perhaps also used sprays. This was about 15 years ago...They certainly were lovely!

Gardenbug - Ontario, Zone "4/5"
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Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 04:30 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I haven't grown many annuals this year. My favorite would have to be calendula though. They are so easy.

I love everyone's photos!

I photographed these at a local nursery a couple of weeks ago.

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Kniphofia - Maine, Zone "4"
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Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 10:23 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I'm enjoying seeing everyone's favorites. I love zinnias and verbena as well. Marigolds are always a fav of mine and I try to find different varieties every year. Sunflowers and Cosmos round out the pack. I grew all of those pictured from seed except for the verbena.









Suzyqt1968 - Washington, Zone "7-8"
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Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 10:35 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Everyone's flowers are so pretty. Arlene, I really love your Lisianthus. I wish I could pick just one favorite annual. If I ever do, though, someone needs to call the hospital because I have obviously become quite ill! My favorites this year are:

Kniola's Purple Morning Glory (a favorite of mine every year, really)
Morning Glory

Scarlet Runner Bean (such a shocking color and the hummingbirds love it, too)
Runner Bean

Empress of India Nasturtium (I finally got what I think is a true-to-form packet of seeds and the leaves and flowers are just gorgeous. The camera goes berserk with the scarlet flowers, though.)
Nasturtium

Love-in-a-Mist/Nigella (This is a new favorite for me this year. They change color as they mature and I love the fact that they get spiffy seed pods when the flowers are done blooming.)
Nigella

Single Moss Rose/Portulaca (These bloom and bloom in such a fantastic array of colors. I have a great time collecting the seeds out of their little cup-shaped seed pods and the seeds are such a treat for the eyes with their metallic silvery-gray coloring.)
Portulaca

Heirloomgardens - Massachusetts, Zone "5b"
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Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 01:27 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Favorite new annual this year is a Browallia. The parent that I saved the seeds from were marked B. americana but I think it is B. viscosa by a comparison of the leaves and that fact that it was suppose to be a tropical plant.


I started them late but they flowered pretty quickly. At this point they are nice for tucking in here and there. I know they get bigger. I suppose someone will tell me they are invasive or something.

Loretta - NJ, Zone "6"
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Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 03:51 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I have had lots of success with Supertunia this year, as well as the Heavenly Blue morning glory. I'll try to get some pics posted here one of these days. (finally got the PC fixed, and now can't get my software to find the camera!).

Lovinlife - Utah, Zone "5"
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Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 10:30 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

If it ever stops raining here I will get out and take some pics!

I love salvia Black and Blue also, Marie. Do you overwinter them using Miquels' method? I've had great luck and haven't bought a plant in over 4 years. So easy to propagate by cuttings when you start forcing them indoors also.

Some of my favorite annuals (pics to follow with sunshine) are snapdragons (an all-time special favorite for bouquets, plus I love to make them 'talk'); moss roses; dahlias - if you can consider a tuber an annual; browallia; annual salvia 'Victoria Blue' - which I had started from seed and lost during wedding preps. From now on, since Arlene's great photos made me try them again, is lisianthus. I put them directly in the border rather than containers this year and have had wonderful success. Very long-lasting in bouquets. I doubt if I will ever be without them again. And, impatiens will always grow in those difficult shady spots...a favorite shot of a container of doubles and minis during a dry spell two days ago:



Ooops - you asked for A favorite annual

SusanQ - Zone 4b-5b Wisconsin
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Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 08:27 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

So many beautiful flowers to remember for next year.
I really like those double impatiens. They look like roses but a lot healthier. And no thorns!.
Marie, I love Black and Blue but it has been a stingy bloomer for me so far compared to other salvias. I will have to try bunching them as you did. I love your combination. It reminds me of the first time I saw it planted with Ruby Grass. It was a must have then.
Kniphofia, that is a beautiful calendula. Do you think it is Pacific Giant?

Loretta - NJ, Zone "6"
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Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 06:11 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Justicia carnea 'Huntington'
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Lovinlife - Utah, Zone "5"
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Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 06:55 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Gardenbug wrote on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:14 pm:

The hummingbirds seem to love it too.

That they do! It's a perennial here. I planted passion vine too close to one planting and it's enveloped it.

Starzgarden wrote on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 02:34 pm:

For me it's usually the zinnias.

This was the first year in many that I grew zinnias. Think I'll make it a yearly practice from now on.



Seil, I love plumbago. Fortunately it's perennial here.


Lovinlife, Jacobina ... another of my favorites!


After reading this thread I realize what a difference just a zone or 2 makes. The only annuals I'm growing this year are caladiums and moonflowers.

http://peekaboo.smugmug.com/gallery/3340854#186140183

Cindym - Louisiana, Zone "8b"
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Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 11:01 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

For annuals, I think my favorite is clear, LOL:


Besides coleus, the annuals I have tried and loved are:

Double impatiens:


Vinca (it is scary how they look glossy and happy mid-drought in 100 degree weather). Purple color (seen below 4 o'clocks):


Peach color:


(Note - in full sun, the purple seems to fade a bit. I like Arlene's color the best - a pinkish. BTW Arlene, I am SO going to grow Lisianthus from seed next year. Maybe put it with some of that black and blue salvia that is so cool).

Charlenenj - New Jersey, Zone "6b"
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Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 03:23 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Cindym wrote on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 06:55 pm:

Lovinlife, Jacobina ... another of my favorites


I'm not sure what Jacobina is, Charlene. Is it another name for the Justicia?

Lovinlife - Utah, Zone "5"
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Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 06:52 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Lovinlife wrote on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 03:23 pm:

I'm not sure what Jacobina is, Charlene. Is it another name for the Justicia?



Yes. http://www.floridata.com/ref/J/just_spp.cfm


LOL! I just realized you changed/added your avatar. He looks great with the glories!

Cindym - Louisiana, Zone "8b"