The Sweet Pea Old Spice Blend, \’Lathyrus odoratus\’, exhibits a mixture of old heirloom sweet pea varieties. The Old Spice Blend displays a mixture of white, cream, pink, rose, scarlet, lavender, purple, bicolors, and striped flowers. The sweet peas bloom in the spring and the duration of blooming depends on the weather. The plants stop blooming once the weather warms up. They are used for cut flowers, ground cover, fence and wall covering, and in large pots.
The Petunia Easy Wave Red, \’Petunia x hybrida\’, is a great choice for the gardener. Easy wave is excellent in the garden, ground cover, baskets or containers either on their own or mixed with wave petunias, or other basket or container plants for mixed hanging baskets. Easy Wave varieties offer easy-to-flower, high-impact plants with minimal maintenance requirements. They grow to 8 to 12 inches tall and will spread to about 3 feet. This Petunia has red flowers with some light red shading.
Double Red Riding Hood Greiggii Tulip
The Tulip \’Double Red Ridinghood\’, \’Tulipa Greigii\’, a fall planted bulb, produces plump red flowers with vivid scarlet-red inner petals framing a black inner base. Greigii tulips are great for beds, borders, rock gardens, and cut flowers. They bloom in mid spring and produce one six-petaled flower on a short, rigid stem. The petals are usually pointed. They have an added attraction in that the leaves are usually patterned with stripes or spots, in purple or brown. Finally, they naturalize very well. If you leave them alone, they come back year after year, and even multiply.
The Alchemilla `Lady\’s Mantle\’, Alchemilla mollis, is a brilliant foamy clusters of tiny, star like flowers with velvety soft olive-green leaves. The foliage catches and holds water drops while sparkling in the sun. The flower color ranges from yellow to green and blooms in late spring to early summer with a height of 18\” and a plant spread of 18-24\”. If one is looking for a fast growing, low maintenance perennial as a ground cover or mass plantings, this is the one for you.
The Nasturtium Dwarf Jewel Mix, \’Tropaeolum minus\’, is a surprisingly easy plant to grow with edible flowers that appear above the foliage 6 weeks after planting. Every salad should have edible Nasturtium and Viola flowers. The Dwarf Jewel Mix Nasturtium has 2 to 21/2 inch flowers that bloom 6 weeks after sowing. Flower colors are shades of orange and yellow. Nasturtiums are used for edging and borders. These plants will also deter whiteflies, squash bug, and rabbits.
The Lobelia Crystal Palace, \’Lobelia erinus\’, is a low growing ground cover with intensely rich, deep blue flowers massed over the top of the plant. The foliage is not often seen because of all the flowers which bloom from spring to fall. In mild winter areas, Lobellia will grow and bloom during the winter. The blue flowers are 1/4 inch tubular blooms. Plant in the spring after the last average frost date or late summer in warmer climates. Lobellia take a long time to germinate, so consider starting them inside.
The Canna Golden Lucifer, a spring planted rhizome, \’Canna x generalis dwarf\’, produces beautiful yellow flowers on a 2 to 3 foot plant. The yellow flowers are displayed amid broad green leaves. Cannas make great borders and bedding plants. Their vibrant colors and attractive foliage will demand attention where ever they are planted. Try a potted Canna for your deck or patio to add color and elegance. Few flowers are so dramatic and long blooming.
