* Milkmaid nasturtium (from Select Seeds)

I'm trying impatiens, heliotrope, and geraniuums (pelargoniums) for the first time.

My real biggie though is lisianthus. I've been eyeing this for awhile and finally decided to give it a try. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Dee

Personally I am no where near narrowing the list to a point that is realistic.

I grew the Milkmaid nasturtium 2 years ago and loved them. I couldn't or didn't get them last year and the other light yellow types were a poor substitute. Although they are not quite as white as the Select Seed catalog suggests they did work well in my white garden.

Ooh, Jackie, I'm glad to hear that! I realize they're not going to be pure white, but as long as they're "white enough" I'll be happy :)

I'm going to try Burpee's White Wedding zinnias, among other things.

MM

I did grow 'milkmaid' nasturtium last year (found a 4" plant at a nursery) and was surprised at how white the blooms really were. I can't stand the sickly shade of the other 'white' nasturtiums, but 'milkmaid' really is pretty close to white. No markings. It does kinda glow at night. I'm excited that nasturtiums overwinter in my zone, too!

So what is it that I want this year? Hmmm. Dunno. Mostly perennials, I suppose...

Amanda 'romando'

Sharon,

I'm thinking about that Opera Petunia too. HOWEVER - for the past few years, I've been having terrible problems with budworms destroying my petunias. It's very disappointing! I've tried BT and they hardly blink. Do you have a problem with these aggravating pests?

Deanna

Sorry Deanna, I've never heard of budworms?

Sharon,

Deanna has probably been having trouble with Tobacco Budworms on her petunias.

MM

Maine Man has it right. I wish I'd never heard of them!!! They devour my petunias as if they were a gourmet dish. I wish the birds would make a gourmet meal of the budworms!

Deanna

BT will control budworms. Try again being very careful to spray at suggested intervals. Al

I'm a complete newbie, but I'm game! I've planted California Poppies in a half-barrel - they are doing well - and in early Spring I'm going to add Maroon Coreopsis and some tall Ace of Spades Scabiosa (or possibly Bachelor Buttons). In other pots: Starflower Everlasting with Sky Pink Campion (hopefully spilling over the side). This is a strawberry pots with pockets on the side, and I'm going to plant dark blue Lobelia in the pockets. Another strawberry pot already has a miniature daylily in it (small lavender blooms) and the lobelia will go in those pockets also. All these are going to be from SEEDS...I hope! I'm going to try starting seeds in a seed tray on the sleeping porch sometime in February, but holding back some of the seeds for direct sowing, in case the seed tray doesn't work out. I'm so excited! I hope at least SOME of this works out!! Laura

Ammi visnaga "Green mist"
Celebrity desert sky mix petunias
A few new escholzias
Cosmos "double click"
Nasturtium milkmaid
A few new amaranths

There are many others, but my seedbox is too full to remember what else is new. I'm really excited about the ammi though- I bought some for a bouquet that I made for our Christmas party and put it with some bayberry-esque greenery with red berries and a touch of dried red foliage and some white florist's spider mums and it made a spectacular bouquet.

My new varietes are

Lavatera hot pink and white
Petunia limoncello and flambe

New to me will be
New guinea impatiens java mix
Moonflower

I also will be growing from seed:

Impatiens stardust and mystic mix
Ivy Geraniums tornado mix
Profusion zinnia
Browallia

boxcar, I'm trying the Petunia Flambé Salmon this year too.

spartangardener, you're going to love those Double Click Cosmos!

Crazy. I will be growing those petunias in flower boxes. I have used wave petunias in the past but I find them getting too leggy to often. Good performers just not great. These new petunias clame to have a mounding habit. We will see how they do with normal pinching.

Crazy Gardener I hope your still here. I was looking at pics from 2005 and saw your great "velvet curtains" planted with castor beans. Where can I get seed? Is your spot drier where you planted them because I think my other amaranthus get too much water because they don't grow like they should.
Mary

Thanks Mary,

McKenzie Seeds carry Velvet Curtains, you should be able to find them off the rack at your local Wal-Mart or reputable nursery.

I start them indoors and transplant them outdoors around the end of May. I have them growing in full hot sun, the plants growing in the ground get a good watering once a week thats if it doesnÂt rain. The whiskey barrels get water every 2-3 days. Hope that helps.

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: Amaranthus 'Velvet Curtains'

I'm growing profusion cherry zinnia this year, I have had great success with the others. Lot's of flowers. I am looking for a sweet pea that will grow well in zone 4 does anyone have any suggestions?

Sharon,
Where did you find the Petunia Opera Supreme Pink Morn...also the Amazon Neon Duo dianthus? I've had a look at some local greenhouses, but can't locate them.
Thanks.

I received my Opera Pink Morn Petunia seeds yesterday from my order at Parks Seeds. They carry them, and it's their new variety. Also went with the Merlin Blue....saw them last Summer and they are stunning too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

petunia2,

Petunia Opera Supreme Pink Morn and Dianthus Amazon Neon Duo can be purchased thur the Willaim Dam Seeds website.

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: William Dam Seeds

For those who grew Nasturtium milkmaid: does this nasturtium hold its flowers above the leaves? The last one I grew (Jewel) the flowers hid too much and there was too much leaf and not enough flower. I noticed the Nasturtium milkmaid in catalogs before, and thought the color would be a good foil for so many others. Thannks!

Holy cow!! Crazy Gardener's list sounds like mine! lol I am also doing the isolepsis (had it last year it was awesome) and the Opera petunias from William Dam seeds plus many others. From 2 packs of the Opera petunias I have 18 seedlings so I am pleased. I have 7 of the Isolepsis Live Wire seedlings on the go as well. I am aslo doing the pink and the blue Daddy petunias from Stokes.

Well suzygal, great minds think alike ;)

My Isolepsis is already starting to bloom. The Opera Petunias are very easy to take cuttings to make more ;)

Sharon