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Zinnia- A hardy flower that can be seeded directly when temperatures reach 50F, they are available in both dwarf varieties for borders and the front of gardens, as well as giant varieties that can reach four feet tall. Comes in all shades of pink, red, yellow and orange. They’re great for cut flowers, and the more you cut, the more they will bloom. Zinnias prefer direct sun and lower humidity.
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Marigold- Another hardy flower that comes in both dwarf sizes of a few inches, or taller varieties reaching two feet. The smaller, French varieties may have a collar of single petals around a floret center, or they can appear as pom-poms. Marigolds can be started indoors or seeded directly and grown in full sun. Color range covers many shades of yellow and orange, with some mahogany. Deadhead, or pick off dead blossoms to ensure continued blooming.
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Pansy- A charming, smaller flower for containers, borders, or between perennials. In some southern regions, pansies can be a year-round flower, but for the most part, they are considered an annual that does not tolerate extreme heat, but which can survive frosts and early cold. Plant in partial shade to full sun. A single-petaled flower, it comes in a full range of white, blues, purples, yellow, pink and red. The extra large petals, and unique coloring, are said to resemble faces. Pick off dead blossoms to keep your pansies blooming throughout the season.
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Impatiens- This is very much a warm weather flower, that cannot tolerate frosts. Set out in partial shade, after all danger of chilling is past. A short plant, the striking contrast between the rich green leaves and dazzling array of whites, pinks, reds, pastels and bi-colors add an extra dimension to borders or containers. A single Impatiens plant will grow into a mound shape of 12-18” in height, although there are varieties that grow larger, and have variegated leaves. Blooms constantly until the first frosts.
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Petunia- A relatively hardy flower that tolerates light frosts, despite the delicate appearance of its wide, trumpet-shaped flower. Petunias also come in “ruffled” and “double” or multi-petaled varieties. Size ranges from dwarf to medium height plants, as well as trailing types for hanging pots. The bright colors of red, white, pink, purple, yellow and bi-colors add a dash of brightness to any area of the garden. Be sure to snip off suckers or thin, trailing sprouts, and cut back slightly in summer when blossoms seem to be on the wane. Fertilize with a time-release formula, and you will have blooms into the early Fall.
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Begonias- The most popular variety of this wide ranging family is known as the Wax Begonia, for the shiny leaves that appear to be coated. Another small plant of 6-12”, it provides high color contrast between the brilliant green leaves and white, red, pink or bi-color flowers, which look good in borders, planters, and as fillers in perennial beds. Plant in partial shade to moderate sun, after the danger of frost is past. Begonias will bloom throughout the growing season until the first frosts.
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Geraniums- One of the medium height Annuals, geraniums in some zones can grow year round, but are known more as an annual bedding plant and center for hanging pots and window boxes. The “flower” is actually a cluster of single-petaled blooms on stem, making it resemble a lollipop. Plant in partial shade to sun, allowing room for the variety you have chosen. Snip off dead blossom stems, and leaves around the bottom that begin to yellow, which is a natural part of their growth cycle. Blooms relatively steadily until the weather turns cold. Does not like frost, but does well in cooler weather of Spring and early Fall.
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Phlox- An Annual of medium height at 12-18” or dwarf at 6-8”, it grows well in a wide range of zones from 2-11. The phlox’s colors of red, blue, white, pink, yellow and lavender are seen more often in Spring and early Fall, as it tends to be a cooler weather Annual. But care over the heat of summer will promote more blossoms as the temperatures drop. Can be sewn from seed after frost is past, or set out as seedlings when temperatures stay above 35F. Pinch off any buds on seedlings, to promote better plant growth, and fuller, sturdier blossoms when the plant matures.
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Snapdragons- An unusual and engaging plant, especially for children, the snapdragon’s blossom has an upper and lower “jaw”, which opens when pressed gently in the right spot. A favorite of gardeners for cutting and arrangements, the snapdragon comes in varieties that grow from 6” to 3’ tall. They can be set out before the last frost in zones 2-8, and tend to bloom early in the year, providing a splash of color between the Spring bulbs that are dying down, and the summer flowers yet to blossom. Snapdragons enjoy full sun to light shade, and should have dead flowers removed to promote continued blooming.
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Cosmos- The most common variety for Annuals, is the Cosmos bipinnatus, a large, daisy-like single flower that comes in reds, pinks, and whites, on a long and feathery stem. They grow from 1-3’, depending on the variety, and can be a good choice to plant behind dwarf plants and borders. Cosmos enjoy full sun and are easily grown from seed, which means many garden centers will not carry the seedlings. Often, the Cosmos will reseed itself over the summer, but dying blossoms should be removed in order to keep the plant blossoming.
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