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University
of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Gardening
with Annuals
Flowering
annuals or bedding plants are favorite among homeowners. They
are inexpensive and produce an abundance of brightly colored
flowers from spring to frost. Some are even winter-hardy if protected
by a light mulch. Annuals
complete their growing cycle within one growing season. They
are usually purchased in early spring and planted as soon as
the last frost is past. Several annuals, such as pansy, snapdragon,
stocks and sweet alyssum will withstand a light frost and can
be planted earlier for establishment during cool weather. The
annuals industry has grown tremendously in the last several years.
The impatiens plant is very popular due to its versatility, offering
brilliant summer-to-fall bloom in shady beds, borders and containers.
Other common annuals are geraniums from cuttings and seed, petunia,
marigolds and fibrous begonias. Annuals
grow best when the soil in the planting site has been prepared
beforehand to receive the transplants. Planting sites should
be well drained and in full sun or moderate shade, depending
on plant species preference. Adequate drainage is very important,
as plant roots fail to thrive in wet soil. Adjust
the soil to a pH of 6.3 to 6.7 for best growth. Highly organic
soils can range from pH 5.7 to 6.0. Amend the soil with high
quality compost. At planting, break apart soil root masses slightly
to prevent "root balling." This procedure will ensure rapid root
expansion into surrounding soil. Water plants after planting
to hasten root establishment. Plant
annuals immediately after purchasing. Transplants, if held for
a few days before planting, must be kept watered, since the small
cell-packs dry readily. Place plants in a shaded area and remove
dead flowers as needed to prevent decay if planting is delayed.
Do not store plants in the garage where gasoline engines are
started. Ethylene gas, a product of combustion, can cause leaf
drop and flower injury. High temperatures and low-light conditions
will also lead to rapid deterioration of plants. Moist
Location: Angel Trumpet, Forget-Me-Not, Hibiscus Poor
Soil: California Poppy, Celosia, Cosmos, Snow-on-the-Mountain Sunny
Location: Aster, Baby's Breath, Bachelor Button, Calendula,
Celosia, Cosmos, Dianthus, Flowering Kale, Flowering Cabbage,
Gazania, Geranium, Larkspur, Marigold, Morning Glory, Portulaca,
Nasturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Poppy, Salvia, Snapdragon, Statice,
Strawflower, Verbena, Zinnia Shade
or Semi-Shade: Annual Phlox, Balsam, Begonia, Bellflower,
Calendula, Coleus, Dwarf Lobelia, Forget-Me-Not, Impatiens,
Larkspur, Nasturtium, Nicotiana, Pansy, Sweet Alyssum, Verbena,
Wallflower, Wishbone Plant Dry
Locations: Ageratum, California Poppy, Cockscomb, Coreopsis,
Cosmos, Portulaca, Petunia, Statice, Swan River Daisy, Verbena,
Zinnia Post-Planting
Care: • Fertilize
at time of planting by using a controlled release fertilizer
product that will feed all season or use a liquid with 20-20-20,
23-19-17 or a similar liquid fertilizer on a bi-weekly basis.
• Remove dead flowers and broken branches weekly to reduce botrytis
fungus buildup and keep plants healthy.
• Use a soaker hose to wet the soil when watering--avoid overhead watering
which wets the foliage.
• Root rot problems are occasionally unavoidable when growing annuals in
the home garden. Reduce problems by emphasizing the cultural methods of good
site preparation with adequate internal moisture drainage. Purchase
plants from greenhouses in the spring. The quality of plant material
will vary from location to location. Quality will also be reflected
in price. Annuals can also be started from seed indoors or directly
sown in the garden. Sowing indoors is done about eight weeks
before the average date for the last killing frost in spring.
Seed started earlier will often be leggy and not suitable for
transplanting. Keep soils between 72 to 75 degrees F for optimum
rapid germination. Direct sowing can be done when soils warm
to at least 60 degrees F. Small seed will present more establishment
problems than larger seed. Adapted
from Charles T. Behnke, Ohio State University Extension, 2000
Pesticides
are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels.
Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach
of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers
immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never
be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials.
Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for
the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury
or property damage.
For more
information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline
at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island;
Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University
of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program
opportunities.
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