2009 PLANT DESCRIPTIONS

AGERATUM (Ageratum houstonianum)

Ageratum are among the prettiest garden blues, growing well in sun or partial shade. They produce a
profusion of fluffy flowers all season long. Compact plants grow just 6-8 in. tall. They are excellent
plants for beginner gardeners. The blues are most popular, providing colorful accent. Flower colors also
include pink and white. Their size and color makes Ageratum good candidates for rock gardens, flower
beds, and containers. They will tolerate a fair amount of shade. They will do well in both average and
poor, dry soils. Space plants 6-8 inches apart. In mid-summer, cut the plants back to about half their
height. After this cutting, they will send out new blooms.

ALLYSUM (Lobularia maritime)

Compact clumps of foliage covered with numerous rose, white, or lavender fragrant flowers literally
covering the plant from spring through early fall. Leaves are lance shaped, 1 inch long. With its lovely
honey fragrance, this delicate, reseeding annual is an excellent choice for borders and containers. Very
nice in rock gardens and between flagstones. A perfect companion with pansies, sweet william and
parsley in a container. Soil should be well-drained as soggy soil is a sure way to rot. Can be rejuvenated
by shearing back if they get leggy. Within 4 weeks, plant should be bushy and blooming again. Part
Shade to Full Sun.

BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)

Bushy plant with ovate, gloss, bright green and sometimes purple leaves often with a toothed edge to 2"
long. White flowers grown on spikes should be removed as they take too much energy away from the
plant. Used for cooking, especially Italian and Thai dishes. Seeds may be sown in early spring or
transplants set out after last frost. . Full sun and regular waterings a must for full, healthy crop. Plant
Characteristics: edible flowers Bloomtime Range: Mid Summer to Mid Summer, Light Range: Sun to
Full Sun.

BEGONIA
Begonias are tender perennials, grown for their colorful flowers and foliage. Most begonias can be grown
outdoors in pots, in the ground, or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist, but well drained soil.
Where not hardy, grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants. Most begonias can be propagated from leaf,
stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed. Long blooming red, yellow, scarlet, orange
and pink flowers on showy begonia. Use in containers for portable color. Fertilize monthly with water
soluable fertilizer. Soil should be kept moist, but not wet, especially during the growing season. Prune
dead flowers to prolong bloom. Partial shade produces best growth and flowering results.

COLEUS ( Alabama Coleus )

Lush, colorful annual. Brings great color to summer borders, containers and hanging baskets. Can be
grown indoors or out. Morning sun to afternoon shade produces best growth and foliage color results. Soil
should be kept moist, but not wet, especially during the growing season. Monthly fertilization
recommended. Light pruning involves pinching tips of stems occasionally to keep plants compact. Brings
great color to summer borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

IMPATIENS
Lovely, dark green, lance-shaped toothed leaves to 6 inches long. Leaves may be flushed with bronze or
yellow. Bright, colorful delicate flowers to 2 1/2 inches across bloom above foliage. Colors range from
white to pink, and into oranges and reds, Early Summer to Mid Fall. Magnificent specimen for containers
or shady, moist, protected areas. Added bonus: you do not need to deadhead!

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 2009 PLANT DESCRIPTIONS

LOBELIA
This a showy and dependable edging plant that may be categorized as an annual or perennial. Compact
and trailing growth habit with pale green, leafy, branching stems covered in blue flowers (three quarters
of an inch across) from summer to frost. Trailing varieties are excellent in large planters or smaller pots.
Prefers moist, rich soil and will continue to self-sow once established. Part Shade to Full Sun.

PETUNIA
Available in a multitude of colors from white to pinks to blues. Though commonly thought of as a
summer annual, works very well as a fall annual in many warmer areas too. Good disease resistance and
weather tolerance aided by smaller flowers. Celebrity Series are Multiflora cultivars that are compact and
mounded, bearing flowers, 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide, in a wide range of colors. Part Sun to Full Sun .

POTATO VINE (Solanum crispum)

Fast growing climber, with ovate, dark green leaves to 5 inches long. Flowers are fragrant and lilac to
purple-blue, 1 inch across held in terminal corymbs to 6 inches across. Protect from frost. Important Info
: Fruit may cause stomach upset if eaten. Bloomtime Range: Mid Summer to Mid Summer, Light Range:
Sun to Full Sun.

SALVIA (Salvia horminum)

This clump forming perennial blooms in early and midsummer into terminal spikes of violet or white
flowers 3/4 to 1-1/4 inches long. The basal green leaves are blunt-tipped, wrinkled and egg-shaped. Salvia
can be planted in a sunny border, in a meadow or used for bedding and container planting. Does best in
fertile, moist but well drained soil. Important Info : Whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites can
be a problem. Purple spikes, easy care, full sun.

SNAPDRAGON (Antirrhinum majus)

They are cool-season annuals that bloom all spring through early summer in nearly every available flower
color, or bicolor, except blue and green. With cutting back in the summer many snapdragons will rebloom
when cooler fall temperatures arrive.
The foliage is attractive with narrow, dark-green leaves. Snapdragons have a narrow, upright growth
habit that adds a gentle vertical contrast to the garden. While most snapdragon plants grow about 3’ tall,
dwarf varieties are also available. Snapdragons prefer full sun, regular water and rich, well-drained soil.
Maintenance - The only true maintenance needed with snapdragons would be cutting the plants back and
watering deeply in the summer heat after flowers fade. Often this will cause another flush of blooms in
the fall. Many gardeners, however, prefer to leave one or two flower stalks to ripen and self-sow seedlings
for the next year.

TOMATO
Important Info : Good for midwestern climates but can handle many climates as long as the growing
season isn't too short. Try use seaweed fertilizer and don't forget to mulch in colder climates. Bloomtime
Range: Early Spring to Late Summer, Light Range: Sun to Full Sun , Water Range: Normal to Moist

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