Annuals are easy to grow, add a bright spot of color in the
garden, and grow well in all parts of Virginia. Following is a
list of more garden annuals you may want to try:
Balsam or Touch-me-not reaches a height of 20 to 28 inches and
is best used as a bedding plant. It can be used as a
window-garden plant, but will not tolerate wet or cold weather.
Plant seed 12 to 14 inches apart in full sun after last frost.
Children enjoy the explosive seed pods.
Coreopsis grows to 18 to 24 inches and is used as a bedding or
edging plant or as a source of cut flowers. It blooms quick and
lasts all summer. Plant seed 10 to 14 inches apart in sun after
last frost.
Cornflower reaches a height of 16 to 36 inches and is a good,
old-fashioned cut flower. Plant seed 12 to 14 inches apart in
partial shade in early spring.
Cosmos grows to 2 to 6 feet tall. It is best used as a screen
or bedding, but is also good for cut flowers. Plant seed 10 to 12
inches apart in full sun after last frost.
Nasturtium grows to 12 inches plus, if semi-climbing, and up to
6 feet, if a climbing type. It is best used as a bedding or
edging plant. Nasturtium blooms about one month after sowing and
requires well-drained soil, but also does well in window boxes
and raised or wall plantings. Plant seed 8 to 12 inches apart in
full sun after last frost. Avoid rich soil or overfertilizing as
plants will grow lush at the expense of flower production.
Scabiosa reaches 18 to 36 inches in height and is used as a
border plant or for cut flowers. Plant seed 12 to 14 inches apart
in sun in spring or summer.
Scarlet sage grows 14 to 36 inches tall. It is used as a border
or bedding plant. Scarlet sage has short varieties that bloom
early and tall varieties that bloom late. Plant seed 8 to 12
inches apart in the garden full sun in spring or summer; or for
earlier blooming, start seed indoors and transplant outdoors in
the spring.
Stock reaches a height of 24 to 30 inches. Best used as a
bedding plant, stock also can be used as a source of fragrant cut
flowers or for window gardens. It over-winters in protected
areas. Plant seed 6 to 10 inches apart in sun.
Strawflower grows to a height of 30 to 40 inches. Strawflower
is a source of cut flowers that are excellent for drying. Plant
seed 10 to 12 inches apart in sun in early spring.
Sweet alyssum grows 6 to 10 inches in height. It is used as an
edging or border plant. Since it is susceptible to damping off,
be sure it is grown in well-drained soil. Sweet alyssum is a neat
growing plant with a long blooming period. Plant seed 10 to 12
inches apart in sun in early spring. Cut plants back in the
summer for reblooming in the fall.
Sweet pea is a vine that grows 4 to 8 feet long with fragrant,
old-fashioned flowers. It's best used as a screen or on a
trellis. Plant seed 6 to 8 inches apart in sun in early spring or
late summer through fall.
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