Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Treasure Flower, Perennial of The Day

Gazania rigens 'Cream Beauty'     
syn. Gazania ringens; Gazania splendens
    Treasure Flower,  Gazania

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    9A to 10A
Height    10" to 16" / 25cm to 40cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    White
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green and silvery

Culture Notes
The flowers close at night and on cloudy days.  These plants are often grown as annuals in colder areas.  This plant will tolerate mild frost only.

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Monday, August 1, 2011

China Aster, Annual of The Day

Callistephus chinensis 'Pompom'     
syn. Aster sinensis
    China Aster

Type    Annual
Height    18" to 36" / 45cm to 90cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Red
Bloom Time    Summer and Fall

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.


Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.


Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Once the flowers of the plant have been cut or have faded, it will not bloom again.  Start new plants at successive intervals to obtain longer bloom period.  Avoid planting in the same place in successive years to prevent diseases.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Quartz Burgundy Verbena, Annual of The Day

Verbena x 'Quartz Burgundy'
Verbena

Type Annual
Height 6" to 10" / 15cm to 25cm
Spread 12" to 15" / 30cm to 40cm
Growth rate Fast
Form Spreading or horizontal
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color Red
Bloom Time Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant, showy and suitable for cut flowers.


Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes 'Quartz Burgundy' is a Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner, as well as a 1999 All-America Selections winner. In addition to the many fine attributes that earned it these awards, it also seems to be tolerant of powdery mildew.


Verbenas are becoming increasingly more popular as garden plants for sunny spots. Bigger flowers, more expansive growth and increasing floridity have increased their appeal. 'Quartz Burgundy' is especially attractive as its deep wine-red color with small white eyes contrast so effectively with the light natural colors that are currently popular in both the home and garden. While a striking display can be achieved in combination, for instance, with the soft pink shades of the Nicotiana 'Havana Appleblossom' (a 1995 Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner), a pot of single color on the patio or balcony is also superb.


The Quartz series has become very popular in a short time, due mainly to the germination capacity. The reliability of the seed is especially important for the professional grower and, in contrast to the older Verbena varieties, it is no longer necessary to sow three seeds per pot or plug. Thanks to the 85% germination, double sowing in the 'Quartz' series is a thing of the past.

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