Who doesn’t like flowers? I do along with bees, ants, hummingbirds and butterflies. When choosing flowers to plant this year, why not pick varieties that bloom through the entire season. Here are some that are sure to please.
Blue Fringed Daisy
Daisies are usually white, but blue-fringed daisies are a true blue flower. They are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 8. The semi-double blue petals surround a yellow center. Just like regular daisies, the blue fringed daisies are low maintenance plants once they are established. They prefer to grow in full sun, to partly shady locations. Daisies can grow in a variety of soils, but prefer to grow in well-drained soil. They are deer resistant, growing to a height of almost 2 feet with a spread of 18 to 24 inches. If you have a butterfly garden, include some of these. Not only will they give you continual color all season long, they also attract butterflies in your yard. To help keep the blue-fringed daisies blooming, remove the spent flowers.
Giant Gerbera Daisy
The giant gerbera daisy comes in a variety of colors like red, white, yellow, pink, and orange. They are hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 through 11, but for those living in a colder area, grow these beauties in a pot. When the weather turns cooler, bring them indoors where they will continue to bloom. The giant gerbera daisies grow to a height of 12 to 16 inches with a spread of 8 inches. The flowers sit above the foliage on sturdy 15 to 18 inch stems. They are deer resistant, but the flowers attract butterflies, and birds to your garden. Plant them in an area that receives the full sun to part sun exposure.
Gaillardia
There are many different varieties of Gaillardia. The Arizona Red Shades is a beautiful variety with its crimson-red flowers. This plant grows to a height of 9 to 12 inches, with a spread of 10 to 12 inches. Gaillardia are hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 10. Plant these in a location that receives the full sun exposure. Although they prefer to grow in well-drained soil, they are tolerant of almost any type of soil. They are also deer resistant. Deadhead the spent flowers through the season to encourage more to set on. Toward the end of the season, leave the flowers on so they can go to seed. They will self-seed back and grow again next year.
Hanging Begonias
There are over 1,000 species of begonias. Begonias, (begonia spp.)are native plants to Mexico, Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. French botanist, Charles Plumier, discovered them when he was in Brazil during the 17th century. Begonias are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10. If you live in an area below 9, you will have to dig up the tubers, or take the plant indoors.
Begonias have three categories: Tuberous, which means the begonias grow from a tuber. These are beautiful in hanging baskets because the plants have large double flowers. You can save tuberous begonias to plant again next season, by digging the tubers out of the ground, and storing them in a cool place, like the basement. Fibrous begonias are the kind that many people grow. They have small flowers and the leaves are waxy feeling. Rhizomatous begonias have multicolored leaves. Depending on the variety chosen, the single or double flowers come in an array of colors like, red, salmon, white, yellow, and pink. Begonias can grow 12 to 18 inches tall with a 6 to 12 inch spread, depending on the kind you are growing. Grow begonias in a location that offers full shade or mostly shade, because the sun can burn the leaves.
Sources:
Yahoo Voices: Looking for Beautiful Blue Flowers
My Hanging Baskets: Wax Begonias in Hanging Baskets
Dave’s Garden: Gerbera Daisy
“American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants”; Christopher Brickell; 2004
“National Garden Book”; Sunset Books; 1997
