Few plants can match the impact of annual color in the landscape. True, they must be planted a couple of times each year, but for your efforts you are rewarded with months of intense color. And, because you are able to change the plants from season to season, you can enjoy an ever changing element of your otherwise constant landscape. One year you can plant mixed colors, other years you maybe more in the mood for a monochromatic look. This year consider mixing different flowers, and foliage’s, another year try planting a single type of flower. The change is the fun and exciting part of working with annuals.

As with most plants, the secrets of success with annuals lie in bed preparation and proper maintenance. Adding generous amounts of soil conditioners will go along way toward keeping your bedding plants healthy and vigorous which keeps plant s more resistant to insects and disease damage.

The most important soil amendment is organic material such as compost. Add two to four inches to the area to be planted, and work it into the soil as you plant. Other important additions in our poor south Texas soils are greensand, humates, molasses, mycorrhizai, fungi, and volcanic minerals. All these products work to improve the texture and quality of the soil and increase microbial life thus strengthening the root system of all your plants. This is very important because a plant can only be as strong as its root system. In summertime containers consider adding water-retaining granules to the soil but be sure to follow instructions on the package.

You can change your plantings each season, but there are a few rules to consider to achieve the greatest impact. Plant annuals in masses. A colorful plant here and there will not be very noticeable, but a bed or border of flowers will stand out. It’s a common mistake to set annuals to far apart and than you have to wait the entire season for them to fill in. In the ground, space plants six to eight inches apart, in containers two to four inches apart. By planting in this manner, you will have great looking pots and beds very quickly.

When choosing plants consider the amount of light you have available. There are good choices for sunny areas and shady spots, but they are rarely interchangeable. In mixed plantings consider texture as well as color. Use large flowers with smaller flowers, daisy like blooms along with spikes of color, and low trailing plants along with more upright plants. And, don’t forget colorful foliage’s. Sometimes they are an important choice in bringing a planting together whether in beds or in pots, and there are some amazing different foliage’s from which to choose. 

Once you have planned your beds or pots and planted your annuals, the only maintenance required is regular feeding and watering. You may use dry (every four to six weeks) or liquid (every two to four weeks) Organic fertilizers depending on your preference. Periodic spraying with Liquid Seaweed and Molasses will improve vigor and reduce the potential for mite problems. Water plants only when they are dry to an appropriate depth. Death from watering to frequently is much more common than from under watering. Of course, containers and newly planted plants will need watering more often. But once established, the water requirement will be fairly predictable. Water thoroughly when you water to encourage deep root system. Insect and disease problems should be uncommon if you follow an organic program, but if they do occur, choose a natural control to keep them in check. The following lists are some of the showiest and best adapted warm weather annuals for our area of South Texas.

 

 Dianthus: Full sun (Set out as Plant)

Marigold: Full Sun (Set out as seed or Plant)

Periwinkle: Full Sun (Set out as Plant-plant when warm April to May)

Petunias: Full sun (Set out as Plant)

Begonias: Morning Sun Only (Set out as Plant)

Coleus: Morning Sun Only (Set out as Plant)

Dusty Miller: Morning Sun Only (Set out as Plant)

Scabiosa: Morning Sun Only (Set out as Plant)

Caladiums: Shade (Set out as Plant)

Impatiens: shade (Set out as Plant)

Hypoestes: Shade (Set out as Plant)

Strobilanthus: Shade (Set out as Plant)