Million Bells

21 years ago

Have any of you had any success with this plant? I've been trying it for several years, and it appears to me that this species or hybrid, or whatever it is, just can't take our heat and humidity. I've tried it in beds with various exposures, soil types, and watering schedules, plus in pots, and the story is always the same. They grow nicely in May & June and then start a long decline, so that by fall, where there might have been a dozen, there are now just a couple of sickly individuals. Someone tell me there is a way to grow this annual here - even though I know I shouldn't, I fully expect to buy more this May.

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Comments (3)

meadow_lark
21 years ago
Hi!

They are definitely an annual! Mine also get "leggy" after a while. (I'm Zone 7 / Huntsville, Alabama)

Last year, I not only "dead-headed" them, but I pinched them back pretty severely. They did MUCH better.

I have been watching for them this year - but I haven't seen them yet. It's a little early. They will die with frost, so I think even here in Alabama, the nurseries hold off until the threat of frost is past (around April 15th).

Anyway - I love million bells "Terracotta", as well as "Colorburst Melon"!

Meadow Lark
njtea
21 years ago
My feeling is that they should be a pot, hanging basket, plant only and not put in the ground.

In a pot they can be fertilized frequently and cut back as necessary. Meadow Lark as the right idea: be ruthless in cutting them back.

However, as I entitled another thread: do as I say, not as I do.

I don't take great care of them once they get ragged, other than to cut them back. However, I've always had them come back once cool weather comes along - they look great in the fall.
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wardw
Original Author
21 years ago
Ok, I'll give them another try. They are incredibly beautiful when grown well. Is it just me, or do the rest of you find there are some plants you can't grow well that others succeed with?