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. Annuals are usually purchased in early spring and planted as soon as the last frost is past. Several annuals, such as pansy, snapdragon, stocks, and calendula, 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 the most popular since it is so versatile, offering brilliant summer-to-fall bloom in shady beds, borders and containers. Other leading 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. Plant roots fail to thrive in wet soil so drainage is very important.
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 peat. 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.
The consumer is the last link in the healthy life of any annual. After healthy plants have been purchased, it is up to the consumer to plant them immediately in the bed. Water and fertilize on a regular basis.
Transplants, if held for a few days before planting, must be kept watered, since the small cell-packs dry readily. Place plants under the shade of trees 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. Build up of 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, Clarkia, Cosmos, Snow-on-the-Mountain
Sunny Location: Aster, Baby's Breath, Bachelor Button, Calendula, Castor Bean, Celosia, Cosmos, Dianthus, Flowering Kale, Flowering Cabbage, Gazania, Geranium, Larkspur, Marigold, Morning Glory, Moss Rose, Nasturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Poppy, Salvia, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Verbena, Zinnia
Shade or Semi-Shade: Annual Phlox, Balsam, Begonia, Bellflower, Calendula, Clarkia, Coleus, Dwarf Lobelia, Forget-Me-Not, Four O'Clock, Flowering Tobacco, Godetia, Impatiens, Larkspur, Nasturtium, Pansy, Sweet Alyssum, Verbena, Wallflower, Wishbone Plant
Dry Locations: Ageratum, California Poppy, Cockscomb, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Four O'Clock, Moss Rose, Petunia, Statice, Swan River Daisy, Verbena, Zinnia
As plants grow and flower, it is necessary to pay some attention to small details of fertilization and dead flower removal.
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. This reduces botrytis fungus buildup and keeps plants healthy. Avoid overhead watering by using a soaker hose to wet the soil and not the foliage.
Occasionally, root rot problems do occur for which the homeowner has few or no chemicals to use. Reduce problems by choosing cultural methods of good site preparation with adequate internal moisture drainage.
Purchase plants from greenhouses and chain stores 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.
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868