Globe Amaranth

In Hawaii, Gomphrena globosa is commonly used in long-lasting leis since it retains its shape and color after drying. In Nepal, these flowers are in  garlands used for the last day of Tihar, a five-day-long Hindu festival when sisters adorn brothers with a garland. This day is called Bhai Tika – Worship of Brother.

Plant Name:  Gomphrena globosa
Common name: Globe Amaranth
Plant Type:  Annual
Plant Height:  1’ – 2’
Spread:  .5’ – 1’
Bloom Time: June to Frost
Flower Color:  Pink, Purple, White, Yellow, Magenta.
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Tolerates most soils.
Water Needs:  Medium
Attributes: Showy Flower; Good Dried or Long-Lasting Cut Flower; Attracts Butterflies; Drought Tolerant; Tolerates Clay Soil.
Note:  If sowing seeds, germination rate is low; pinch plants to promote bushiness.
Uses: Borders, Rock Gardens, Cutting Gardens, Containers.
Native to:  Central America & northern South America
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  2 – 11

Wildflower: Phacelia campanularia (California Bluebell)

Plant Name: Phacelia campanularia
Common names:  California-bluebell,
Desertbells, Desert bluebells,
Desert Scorpionweed, and Desert
Canterbury Bells
Plant type: Hardy Annual
Family: Member of the borage family
Height: 12 inches
Flower Color:  Blue
Exposure: Full sun
Blooms:  February – June
Soil: Sharply drained (sandy or granitic soil) , can tolerate other soils but needs good drainage
Water: Low – (arid climate plant)
Note: Grows in very arid environments; Adapts easily to gardens; not winter hardy but can reseed.
Attributes: Heart-shaped leaves, Vibrant Blue Color, Showy bell-shaped flowers, blooms in clusters
Uses: Wildflower gardens, Natural Gardens, Containers, Rock Gardens, Water-wise Gardens, Mass Plantings
Native to: Western USA
USDA Zone: 3-10

Report by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member

Horticulture Report: Helichrysum petiolare

Plant Name:  Helichrysum petiolarelicorice-plant1.jpg
Common name:  Licorice plant
Plant type: Annual
(Tender Perennial Zones 9-11)

Height: 6-9 inches
Spread: 1-3 ft
Bloom: White, but Insignificant
Exposure: Full Sun – Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Average
Water Needs: Dry to medium
Attributes:   Dense trailing silvery leaves, Tolerates poor soil & drought
Notes: Good drainage is a must!
Uses:  Annual, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Rock walls, Annual ground-cover
Native to: Southern Africa
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9-11

Fragrant Annuals

Annual plants fill-in the “flower gap” in your perennial garden and there are a many beautiful annuals your can choose, but below are some of the most fragrant!

Stocks (Matthiola incana)stocks_matthiola_incana_-photo-by-protoplasmakid.jpg
Height:  1-3 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Flower Colors Available in:  Blue, White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Exposure: Full Sun-Part Shade
Attributes: Dense Showy clusters of cove-scented flowers, Deer Tolerant
Uses: Border gardens, Containers, Moon Garden (white flowers), Cut Garden, Bouquets

Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)sweet-pea-e1526493728960.jpg
Height:  3-8 ft
Bloom Time: May – July  (In cool weather areas, blooms until fall)
Flower Colors Available in:  All colors ( Except Yellow)
Exposure:  Full Sun (but, not in high heat areas)
Attributes:  Fragrant Colorful Climber
Uses:  Border Gardens, Cottage Garden
Note: Needs to grow on a support structure such as a trellis, a fence, stakes with strings or a bamboo pyramid.  Plants do poorly in high heat & humid areas! Sweet pea fruits are inedible and poisonous to humans.

Sweet alyssumSweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritime)
Height: 3-6 inches
Bloom Time: April – June
Flower Colors Available in:  White, Purple, Pink, Lavender, Violet
Exposure: Full sun – partial shade
Attributes:  Ground plant, Delicate Flowers, Fragrant, Re-seeds
Uses: Flowerbed Edges, Containers, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes

Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata)nicotiana-alata-e1526493875640.jpg
Height: 3-5 ft.
Flower Colors Available in:  Red, White, Purple, Pink, Yellow, Pale Green
Exposure: Full sun – partial shade
Attributes:   Tubular flowers star-shaped fragrant flowers
Uses: Attracts Birds & Butterflies, Fragrant, Moon Garden (White flowers)

Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)4 oclock_Mirabilis jalapa
Height: 2-3 ft.
Bloom Time: June- Frost
Flower Colors Available in:  Red, Pink, Rose, Magenta, White, Sometimes Striped
Exposure: Full Sun
Attributes:  Trumpet-shaped flowers, Blooms in late afternoon, Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds.  Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested!

Dreaming of Spring

New Annuals  for 2018
from  Proven Winner

Golden Butterfly™ Marguerite Daisy Argyranthemumhttps://goo.gl/wQpsCMargyranthemum_golden_butterfly_tag
Plant Type:  Annual
Flowers: Golden yellow
Exposure: Sun to Part sun.
Height: 18-36 “
Attributes:  Blooms continuously  into late fall,  Self-cleaning, Heat tolerant.
Uses:  landscape, Containers, Mass plantings.
USDA Zones:  10a-11b

Lady Godiva™ Orange Calendula https://goo.gl/4koUjU
Plant Type:  Annualcalendula_lady_godiva_orange_tag_
Flowers:  Orange with darker centers
Exposure: Sun to Part sun.
Height: 10-16 “
Attributes:  Large cut flowers, Blooms until a hard frost,  No deadheading,  Heat tolerant.
Uses:  Containers, flower gardens, Cut flower garden.
USDA Zones:  7a-11b

Hippo™ Red Polka Dot Planthttps://goo.gl/h1JqLi
Plant Type:  Annualhypoestes_hippo_red_tag
Flowers:  none-  grown for foliage
Exposure:  Morning  Sun, Afternoon shade.
Height: 16-22 “
Attributes:  Interesting foliage.
Uses:  Landscape, Containers, Mass plantings, Filler plant.
USDA Zones:  10a-11b

Dahlightful® Tupelo Honey Dahliahttps://goo.gl/UmCqey
Plant Type:  Annualdahlightful_tupelo_honey_tag
Flowers:  Yellow flowers with amber tones.  Semi-double.
Exposure: Morning sun, afternoon shade.  Heat tolerate but does not like hot afternoon sun.
Height:  24 – 30” tall,
Attributes: Does not form tubers (*see note) . Blooms early & continuously into late fall. Chocolate foliage. Resistant to powdery mildew.
Notes: *Breed to not form tubers, but it can form tubers. Dig tubers and store in the fall like other Dahlias.
Uses:  Attracts Butterflies , Containers,  Flower garden,  Specimen plant.
USDA Zones:  8a-11b

Rockin’™ Deep Purple Salviahttps://goo.gl/7cpchr
Plant Type:  Annualsalvia_rockin_deep_purple_tag
Flowers:  Purple & Black
Exposure: Sun to Partial Sun
Height:  30 – 40”
Attributes:  Excellent plant for pollinators. Deer Resistant.  Heat tolerant.
Uses: Containers,  Flower garden, Border plant, Mass Plantings.
USDA Zones:  10a-11b

 

Watch a Proven Winner new 2018 annuals introduction video at Garden Answers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2oRyDfTqkw

Photos by: Proven Winner