Annuals

This long-blooming summer annual keeps a nice mounded shape . Ageratum is very easy to grow. It prefers a sunny location and looks great in borders and mixed in rock gardens.

Alyssum are suitable for growing in a rock garden, at the front or middle ground of a mixed border, or in wall crevices. Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile, preferably gritty, loamy soil in full sun. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain compac.

Asters have small daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, blue, white and pink. These are great for adding color to the garden in late summer to autumn. Grows in full sun to light shade.

This shade-loving annual is closely related to impatiens and requires similar care.

Outdoors, grow begonias in fertile, well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to slightly acidic soil in partial shade, or in good light, but out of direct sun.

Outdoors, grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushy plants. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushy plants.

These plants have bright feathery plumes in orange, pink, scarlet, yellow, and mix. New leaves cover old plumes so plants keep their "fresh look" all season.

Spider flowers that bloom all summer and like sunny hot dry areas. Height can be expected to be approximately 48".

A popular shade-loving plant grown for its striking foliage. Use coleus in shady bed, borders or containers. A great choice for brightening shady area, or adding colorful foliage accents to sunny plantings. Grows best in moist well drained soil.

The flower colors of this species are always shades of yellow, orange or red. Rich, fertile soils tend to produce unusually tall, lanky plants. Yellow cosmos requires full sun. Cosmos attracts birds and butterflies.

Small, tubular, bright flowers on compact, well-branched plants. This is a good performer in heat. Cuphea grows to approximately 8 to 10 inches and spreads to about 10 to 12 inches.

Grow in humus-rich, well-drained soil, in full sun. Bedding dahlias need no staking or disbudding: simply pinch out the growing point to encourage bushiness, and deadhead as the flowers fade. For taller dahlias, insert stakes at planting time. Moderately pinch, disbranch, nd disbud, and deadhead to produce a showy display for three months or more.

Most species and cultivars prefer full sun and well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil.

Delightful silvery foliage. Leaf pattern depends on variety. Dusty Miller provides striking accents to gardens, low borders and edges. Grows in full or partial sun.

Flowering or Ornamental Cabbage is used for edging and in planters. Keep it in a well lit location that does not get excessively hot. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.

Flowering Kale is an unusual yet colorful presence in the late summer and autumn garden. This frost tolerant annual should be grown in full sun in moist well-drained soil.

A showy member of the Daisy family. Gazanias can be used as edging, beddiing and ground cover as well as incontainers. The flowers close up at night and on cloudy days. Grow in partial to full sun.

During growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with shelter from wind. Most are excellent as houseplants and summer bedding plants, particularly in light shade, and provide long lasting summer color in a windowbox or container on a patio.

This delicate-looking plant features dainty flowers that bloom all summer. Flowers bloom in blue, white, red or violet depending on variety. Excellent plant to edging, hanging baskets or other containers. Grows best in cool moist soil.

Plant in full sun. Marigolds grow best in moist well-drained soil but tolerate dry soils. Marigolds grow well in poor sun. Plant 12'' apart. Marigolds have moderate frost tolerance. They are low maintenance flowers. Marigolds grow well in all weather conditions. Pinching out the first central flower bud will produce bushier plants.

Low growing plant with fleshy stems and leaves with showy flowers. Best used as edgings, borders, ground covers or in containers. Most flowers close up at night, in shade and on cloudy days. Grow in full sun and keep soil dry.

An upright-growing plant with somewhat fuzzy, sticky foliage and fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Grows in partial or full sun. Keep them well watered. Makes a great border plant.

Pansies have large flamboyant flowers. One of the most attractive features is the vast range of colors. They enjoy sunshine but appreciate shade in hotter areas. Reasonably fertile soil which is not too wet, suits them well. They thrive in containers of all kinds.

One of the most popular of all summer annuals providing continous color in beds or containers. Thrives in hot sunny summers. Many varieties make this flower suitable for window boxes, tubs, urns, hanging baskets, bed and borders. Keep them well watered.

During the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly; water very sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to light, dappled shade.

Grow in fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Shrubby perennial species require very well-drained soil and shelter from wind; they are extremely brittle and sensitive to winter moisture.

Low-growing plant with grayish foliage and small flowers. Grows in full sun or light shade and usually does better in cooler climates. Great for beds and containers.

During the growing season, water freely and apply a high-potash liquid fertilizer every 2 or 3 weeks. Pinch out stem tips to promote bushiness. Outdoors, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.

Grow in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Where marginally hardy, protect with a dry winter mulch.

Grow in any but very dry soil, in full sun (for best flowering) or partial shade. To restrict growth, cut back hard in early spring.

Violas are amongst our most colorful and prolific of annuals. Violas have larger numbers of smaller flowers. Resonable fertile soil which is not too wet, suits them well.

Cheerful, bright-colored flowers bloom from midsummer to fall. Easy to grow and very productive. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Remove spent blooms to promote reblooming. Ideal edging plant for gardens and borders.