Q. As much as I love them, the geraniums are just too
high maintenance for me this year. Gave up on them. Can you recommend something,
in addition to Lantana, that is colorful and low maintenance?
high maintenance for me this year. Gave up on them. Can you recommend something,
in addition to Lantana, that is colorful and low maintenance?
A. Like vegetables, flowering plants have a time of year
when they perform best. Lantana is generally a summer flowering woody perennial
while geraniums flower best in our climate, even though they are perennial,
during the cooler months of October through March. The usual planting dates may
vary somewhat with the weather, but it should be around early to mid – October.
when they perform best. Lantana is generally a summer flowering woody perennial
while geraniums flower best in our climate, even though they are perennial,
during the cooler months of October through March. The usual planting dates may
vary somewhat with the weather, but it should be around early to mid – October.
Commonly Found Geranium Alternatives
Some common
alternatives for geraniums used as annuals during the winter months include Snapdragons,
Pansies, and Petunias planted with Alyssum and Lobelia. Even though they aren’t
true winter annuals, they grow best during the cooler weather of mid fall
through early spring.
alternatives for geraniums used as annuals during the winter months include Snapdragons,
Pansies, and Petunias planted with Alyssum and Lobelia. Even though they aren’t
true winter annuals, they grow best during the cooler weather of mid fall
through early spring.
Start Fall Flowers from Seed
Some
fall flowering plants for fun that you can start from seed include
fall flowering plants for fun that you can start from seed include
- Alyssum (L)
- Bells of
Ireland (T) - Calendula (M)
- California Poppy (L)
- Candytuft (T)
- Cornflower (M)
- Gilia (L)
- Godetia (L)
- Iceland Poppy (M)
- Larkspur (T)
- Lupine (M)
- Nemesia (M)
- Nemkophila (L)
- Pansy (L)
- Phlox, Drummondi (L)
- Pinks (L)
- Stocks (M)
- Snapdragons (M)
- Verbena, Sand (L)
- Verbena (L)
- Viola (L)
L=Low M=Medium Height T=Tall
Many of these will self-sow themselves year after
year.
Big in the Back
Pay
attention to their mature size. Taller plants go in the back of the planting
area and smaller plants go in the front. Before planting any of these
non-desert flowering annuals, mix a decent compost into the soil before
planting if it’s going in a bed.
attention to their mature size. Taller plants go in the back of the planting
area and smaller plants go in the front. Before planting any of these
non-desert flowering annuals, mix a decent compost into the soil before
planting if it’s going in a bed.
Amend the Soil Each Year and Fertilize Regularly
A 1-inch
layer of compost mixed into the soil 6 to 8 inches deep annually at planting
time, just like a vegetable garden, is enough. If the compost is a dark brown
or black amendment “rich” in nutrients, don’t add any fertilizer at planting
time and for the first 2 to 3 months after planting. If the compost is not
rich, mix in a high phosphorus fertilizer with the compost just before
planting.
layer of compost mixed into the soil 6 to 8 inches deep annually at planting
time, just like a vegetable garden, is enough. If the compost is a dark brown
or black amendment “rich” in nutrients, don’t add any fertilizer at planting
time and for the first 2 to 3 months after planting. If the compost is not
rich, mix in a high phosphorus fertilizer with the compost just before
planting.
Deadheading
Deadhead
these plants regularly. Removing spent flowers produces more flowers and
extends the life of the plant. Fertilize these winter annual flowers lightly
with a high nitrogen fertilizer once a month.
these plants regularly. Removing spent flowers produces more flowers and
extends the life of the plant. Fertilize these winter annual flowers lightly
with a high nitrogen fertilizer once a month.