Too late....but would still like to see them all....ugg i have 50 varieties of seed coming and room for 5......ugg

SCG

I usually end up planting the same old annuals every year. But i do love these calendulas - they're something i wouldn't do without.

New last year was 'Garland Orange' marigold ... large plants produce VIBRANT orange blooms in abundance, though branches can break away from the main stems in high winds and plants topple after heavy rains. I took a few mins and staked them, they're worth the extra bit of effort.

'High Tide' ageratum ... awesome season long color of smooth blue, plants are about 12 inches high, definitely shorter than the 16 to 24 inches stated in the catalogues.

'La Bella Red and White' snap ... stunning bi colored blooms.

'Dynasty Rose Lace' dianthus, a biennial that blooms well the first year and then explodes in its second season, people always comment on these, 'Dynasty Orchid' is also very nice.

I always grow an array of different rudbeckias, we love 'em!

Gonna try 'Dash' Sweet Williams this year, I sowed them today.

'Inca II' Marigolds ...

Okay, now I'm getting carried away, but it's fun!

One more that includes 'High Tide' ageratum, 'Magellan' zinnias, 'Lemon Gem' and 'Mr. Majestic' marigolds ... all being outstanding performers!

Stop! Beautiful roses AND beautiful annuals?? You're putting me to shame! LOL Most of my annuals are in containers. Some, like the calendula, and nicotiana are in the ground. I've been thinking that i have to pay more attentin to annuals because they really should be helping to fill in (and maybe cover up the weeds).

For those of you who like zinnias, the Magellan Sunburst Mix has been outstanding in my yard. Also, Silvercup Lavatera can't be beat. I tend not to plant the same things every year, but I haven't had either of these for a couple of years, so plan on having at least one of them this year.

Hey, branch out and give them a try Marcia :)

Marcia, I'm guilty of paying tooo much attention to annuals and always trying new varieties ... but, the place is now filling up with perennials and shrubs with less room for them. I'm still growing many types, though fewer numbers of individual varieties.

Yes, 'Magellan' zinnias are truly excellent! I also always grow the striking much commented upon 'Fiesta' hollyhock, not all seed I've ordered has been true to type, but what I got last year from Dominion / Perron was the authentic thing.

Yes great pictures!!!

Keep them coming as I am making a list for next year!!!

I did something I don't normally do this year and ordered mixes. Part of me thinks it is an excuse to start them indoors earlier so I know what color they will be at planting......

SCG

SCG, why wait until next year, I just received my Lindenberg catalogue jammed packed with soooo many goodies..

'Perfection' marigolds

Only waiting because I have exceeded my seed budget for the year....won't stop me from picking up the odd packet or two but that is it for orders....or so I say now

Beautiful pics, makes me want to order more lol....

SCG

Okay, you're convincing me. It's true - i just don't have any room for perennials anymore, so annuals should do the trick.

I actually do try some different ones - i've tried something called craspedia three years in a row and got foliage but nothing else so it's time to scrap that one. :) Last year i started rhodochriton, but had no luck with it. I will often use the winter sowing technique on annuals, but in the spring, because i have limited room inside, and sometimes lose things that way because of frost or heavy rain or something. Whatever survives all that is what gets into the containers!

Last year my granddaughter picked some asters to plant, so i had a lot of them. My usuals are petunias, impatiens, coleus and nicotiana that i start from seed. My granddaughter and i do buy some annuals and we plant containers for her garden, which is also getting overcrowded with perennials!

Well, I am in trouble. I over looked looking at how many "Moonsong Orange" marigold seeds and am almost out. So, I have to place a small order.

So I am going to wait a few days to place the order to hear about more must haves.

I also have a few questions for twrosz. When looking at all these pictures are all the individual colors one plant or did you plant multiples of the same color in each location? The last photo with the 'Perfection' Marigolds is a good example.

Thanks SCG

I keep meaning to post this for you NAF but always forgot till now...

"Novelle Rose" Lavatera

{{gwi:2143507}}

SCG

SCG, the photo of the 'Perfection' marigolds was simply a single row of plants with no attempt at grouping together of colors, as this was a mixture and none had shown flowers at planting time. 'Perfection' is rather late to come into bloom, but the wait is worth it for the very high quality blooms produced.

Otherwise, yes, I generally do groupings of same colored flowers, usually three in a triangle, especially so along borders. I also use larger swaths in a kidney or tear drop shape.

Marcia, sounds like you do grow a fair number of colorful annuals :)

BTW, very nice photo SCG !!

This post was edited by twrosz on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 16:56

Thanks Twrosz, I was wondering if those marigolds were individual plants.

While I prefer your growing style (Twrosz) my wife likes complete chaos, country gardening or 'shabby chic' she calls it. So chaos it is and I am happy about it!!

SCG

One can create pleasing chaos and then there's a dog's breakfast of clashing chaos. Last year, I had the clashing thing going on in a few beds when I had mixed in the wrong color of annuals to the unexpected effect of totally sucking the life and interest out of those beds. Despite containing many other interesting plants, one didn't notice them for the other fugly ugly color going on, lol,

I absolutely agree, one can do it....my choices are limited....

Lol

SCG

What absolutely beautiful pictures . Pudge didn't do a bubble this year so they help fill the void.

SCG I'm curious about this thing you call a seed budget. What the heck is that? :)

NAF, LOL...I have to limit myself or I really get really carried really away.

Probably too late for your current order SCG, but last year I found trailing snapdragons and they were amazing. Sorry no picture. They were bushy and lush and the colors were amazing. I plucked groups of seedlings to transplant and so ended up with multiple colors in each pot, and they hung over raised bed edges and bloomed like crazy all summer. Planting them again this year.

Yeah, a little late for the order BUT that is exactly what I was just thinking about last night....I don't have enough snaps....next year I am going to load up on them as you can't buy much locally (read I have everything you can get) LOL

SCG

It's not fancy or anything, but I love old-fashioned sweet peas and I always try to find a place for them. Easy for the kids to grow and I just love the scent.

Matsumoto asters, definitely lavatera, cosmos, nicotina, cactus zinnias, cactus dahlias, amaranthus, cleome, crysanthemum, any snapdragons but I like the tall snaps, also the tall marigolds, balsam is nice for shadier areas. Queenie series hollyhocks. If I plant petunias I like the double cascade mix, or the frilly petunias. And if you have the patience of a saint..I love lisianthus, they grow so slow you have to start them in January. With 50 packs coming and I am sure you have some already at home it would seem you have plenty of ideas already LOL I have more started, but I forget what they are without looking. Oh and anagallis. Loved seeing all the pics, I will have to put some on my tablet. It's an apple so of course I can't just put a card in it. Grrrr