Ageratum
The compact, mounding growth habit makes it an ideal border plant for window boxes and annual flower beds. Ageratum grows 15-20 cm tall and produces large clusters of fuzzy, long lasting blue or white flowers. Plant in full sun 15-20 cm apart.
Alyssum
Flowers from early spring until late fall, making it one of the most useful border plants. A mass of dainty, fragrant, blue or white flowers are produced on 5 cm plants. Plant in full sun or partial shade, 15-20 cm apart, to create a carpet of colour.
Aster
The daisy family member produces large, long lasting, double flowers which are excellent for cutting from July until frost. Colours include white, red, pink and blue. Dwarf varieties grow 15-25 cm tall and medium varieties grow
40-45 cm tall. Plant in full sun or light shade, 30-45 cm apart.
Balsam (Lady’s Slipper)
Related to impatiens and produces flowers that resemble an open rose in mixed colours of white, salmon, pink, red and purple. Balsam grows 25-40 cm (10-16 in) tall and should be planted in full sun or partial shade.
Begonia, Fibrous
This waxy, dark green or rust-leaved annual grows in a mounding fashion. Small, delicate flowers are produced in 3-5 cm clusters of red, pink or white. Begonias grow 15-20 cm tall and perform best if planted in shade. Begonias can be dug up before the first frost and potted for use as a house plant. Tuberous begonias are available as bulbs or in 15 cm pots.
Calendula
Daisy-like yellow or orange flowers, 5-19 cm across and excellent for cutting. Calendula grows 25-30 cm tall. Plant 15-20 cm apart in full sun.
Carnation
Chabaud’s Mixed Carnations are one of the best varieties for outdoor gardening. Fragrant, salmon, white or scarlet double blossoms, 3-8 cm across, are produced on a 30-35 cm plant in mid-summer. Plant in a sunny location and space 30 cm apart to create a mass of colour. Remove all secondary buds to produce single, specimen flowers for cutting.
Coleus
This rapidly growing foliage plant can also be used as a house plant. Pinch back the terminal buds to produce a full, multicoloured, accent or bedding plant. 30 – 35 cm tall. Sun or shade.
Celosia
Superb border plant for flowerbeds or planter boxes and makes an excellent cut or dried flower. This evenly shaped, uniform, bushy plant produces feathery, plume-like, bright red or yellow flowers that last up to eight weeks. Grow 15-30 cm tall and should be planted 15-20 cm apart in full sun. Some varieties will grow taller.
Cosmos
Excellent cut flower. Daisy-like blooms in pink, white, yellow, gold, orange or red are produced on plants as tall as 90 cm. Plant in sun or part shade in dry soil and space 30 cm apart.
Dahlia
With large, semi-double flowers, dahlias make excellent background plants and are great for fresh-cut arrangements. This annual grows 35-50 cm tall and produces a variety of brilliantly coloured flowers in late summer. Plant in a sunny location and space 30-45 cm apart.
Dianthus
Compact growth habit makes it an excellent border plant. Single, fragrant, carnation-like flowers in shades of red, pink, mauve or white are produced on 10-20 cm tall plants. Plant in a sunny location and remove faded flowers to encourage rebloom.
Dimorphoteca (African Daisy)
Produces masses of large, 10 cm flowers which are excellent for cutting. White, yellow, salmon or rose coloured flowers are produced on a 30 cm tall plant. Plant in full sun 30 cm apart.
Dracaena Spike
These vase-shaped foliage plants have grass-like spiky leaves. Great center piece in containers or formal flower beds. Available in 4”, 5” and 1 gal pots.
Dusty Miller
Often used as a border to accent brightly coloured annuals. The 15-20 cm tall, silvery-white fern-like foliage stands out in any planting. Plant in full sun or partial shade and pinch back the terminal bud to encourage bushiness.
Fuchsia
These attractive plants have large glossy leaves and produce exquisite, pendulous, bell-shaped single or double flowers in purple, mauve, pink or red. They are often bi-coloured, with combinations of these colours or with white centres.
Locate in hanging baskets in partial shade and keep consistently moist throughout the growing season. Can be over-wintered indoors and if allowed to grow for a number of years, becomes a fuchsia ‘tree’, with a woody stem and dense flower-covered low head, can be created. There are over 21 different varieties of fuchsia available.
Gazania
These spectacular daisies, great for large containers, window boxes and garden borders, deserve to be better known. Gazania produces brightly coloured, large flowers which stand on upright stems averaging 30 cm tall. The colours available include orange, scarlet, gold, pink or red, all with brown center. Flowers close up at dusk and on cloudy days. Long leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant. Plant in full sun 30 cm apart.
Godetia
Masses of semi-double flowers, which are showy in the garden or in cut flower arrangements. The cup-like flowers, 5-10 cm across are available in white, pink, red or lilac and the foliage on the 25-30 cm plants is gray-green in colour. Plant in full sun or partial shade 15-30 cm apart.
Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath)
This rapid growing annual makes a great filler for cut flower arrangements or a fine-textured contrast to brightly coloured annuals. A plethora of tiny white or pink flowers are produced on a 50-60 cm plant. Plant Baby’s Breath in full sun or partial shade in alkaline soil, 20-30 cm apart.
Strawflower
As the name implies, Strawflower makes an excellent, long-lasting cut or dried flower. This 50-60 cm tall annual produces brilliant red, salmon, purple, pink, white or yellow flowers. Plant in full sun, 30 cm apart. Before fully open, cut and hang the flowers upside down in a dark dry spot.
Impatiens
The bright green, shiny leaves of this famous and popular plant are attractive indoors or outdoors. This 20-25 cm tall annual produces an abundance of purple, salmon, pink, white or red flowers.
Plant in partial or full shade 30 cm apart and keep the soil evenly moist. Excellent in hanging baskets, containers or beds.
Ipomea (Morning Glory)
One of the most attractive vines available for hanging basket or as a vigorous climber. Grows to 175 cm tall and produces large, showy, funnel-shaped, single flowers in a multitude of colours. Morning Glory performs best when planted in partial shade.
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Kochia (Burning Bush)
Noted for attractive green foliage which turns scarlet red in fall. This globe-shaped feathery leaved plant grows rapidly to 60-70 cm tall and can be used as a temporary shrub or hedge. Plant in full sun, keep the soil dry, and space 45 cm apart.
Lavatera
This relative of the hibiscus has attractive flowers and seed pods. This 75 cm tall plant produces trumpet-shaped, 10 cm wide flowers in pink or white. Plant Lavatera in full sun 60 cm apart.
Lisianthus
Highly recommended for cutting and containers. The flowers, approximately 8 cm wide, borne on long, strong upright stems, are available in blue or pink. Thrives under dry conditions. Plant in full sun 15-20 cm apart.
Livingstone Daisy (Ice Plant)
Excellent border or ground cover, 15 cm tall, and produces 1-2 cm wide flowers in pink, red, lavender, yellow, or white. Plant in full sun in dry soil, 15-20 cm apart.
Lobelia
There are two basic types of lobelia, trailing and upright. The trailing variety looks excellent cascading over the edge of a container. Grows 15 cm tall and produces a mass of dainty blue, purple, white or red flowers. Plant in full sun or partial shade, 10-15 cm apart.
Marigold
Marigold varieties come in many colours and heights. Each variety produces a heavy fragrance and the colours range from bright yellow and orange to bronze and reddish-brown. Plant in full sun. Marigold leaves can be used as a substitute for tarragon.
Myosotis (Forget-Me-Not)
A great biennial to plant around the base of shrubs. This well branched, often creeping, and generally hairy plant grows 15-45 cm tall. The small blue or pink flowers occur in attractive clusters. Plant in full sun.
Monkey Flower (Mimulus)
Excellent border plant and does well in both containers and flowerbeds. The large tubular velvety flowers are available in spectacular colours including combinations of yellow, orange and wine. Plant in partial shade, 20 cm apart and keep the soil evenly moist.
Nasturtium
The flowers can be used as a colourful addition to salads. Nasturtiums can be planted in either flower beds or hanging containers. Dwarf varieties are 15-25 cm tall whereas taller varieties can grow to 60 cm tall. The 5 cm wide blossoms are available in white, salmon, yellow, orange, or red and have a strong fragrance. Plant in full sun or partial shade, 30 cm apart. Nasturtiums require well-drained, sandy, dry soil; planting in rich soil produces lush plant growth but fewer flowers.
Nemesia
Excellent border plant. White, red, pink, blue, yellow or bronze coloured, 5-10 cm clusters of cup-like flowers are produced on 20 cm plants. Plant in full sun or shade in rich, moist soil
15-20 cm apart.
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)
Creates a mass of colour in flower beds and is also an excellent cut flower. Produces5 cm, fragrant, star-shaped flowers of various colours. Plant in full sun or partial shade, 30-45 cm apart.
Pansy
Excellent for borders, beds and containers. Flowers should be picked often to encourage continual blooming. This 15-20 cm tall plant produces multi-coloured and solid patterned red, yellow, blue, orange or white flowers. The 5-10 cm flowers have a delicate fragrance. Plant in full sun or partial shade in rich moist soil, 15-20 cm apart.
 Petunia
Petunias are one of the most popular annuals because little care is required to produce masses of flowers all summer. Petunias produce 5-10 cm wide, trumpet-shaped flowers in an endless number of colours. The large, showy flowers and the low maintenance requirements make the Grandiflora Petunias the most popular. Some have a natural cascading habit, which is ideal for containers and hanging baskets. The Multiflora Petunias have smaller but greater numbers of flowers. Multiflora petunias are available in more colours and shapes than the Grandifloras, including star-shaped and striped varieties.
Phlox
Excellent plant for border, bed, rock garden or cut flower. Annual phlox grows 20 cm tall and produces clusters of 2-5 cm wide, pink, red, yellow, white or lavender flowers. Plant in full sun or partial shade 15-20 cm apart.
Portulaca (Moss Rose)
This waxy-leaved succulent creates an excellent mass of colour in a flowerbed. Grows 15 cm tall and produces 2 cm wide, rose-like pink, red, salmon, orange, yellow, rose or white flowers. Plant in a hot, dry sunny location in poor soil conditions, 15-20 cm apart.
Salpiglossis
This relative of the petunia is excellent as a fresh-cut flower. Grows 75 cm tall and produces gold, red, pink or blue trumpet-like flowers. Plant in sun or partial shade 30 cm apart.
Salvia (Scarlet Sage)
Produces red or purple, spike-like flowers, which are very effective when combined with yellow Marigolds and/or Dusty Miller. The blossoms are produced on 5-10 cm stems and the plant grows 30 cm tall. Plant in full sun 10-15 cm apart.
Schizanthus (Butterfly Flower)
Most showy when it can cascade over a wall or from hanging basket. Grows to 30 cm tall and produces large amounts of orchid-like white, pink, salmon, or red flowers, which are displayed well against fern-like foliage. Plant in partial shade or shade in rich moist soil, 30-45 cm apart.
ANNUALS IN CONTAINERS
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Containers: 50 cm across the top and about 30 – 50 cm deep .
Drainage holes are absolutely necessary!
Potting Mix: Humber Potting Soil or ‘Pro-Mix’ (highly recommended)
Seeds: Your choice of seed packets available from mid-January. This pamphlet lists some of the best flowers for containers
GETTING STARTED
When to plant – Because container soil warms up quickly, you can plant earlier. Protect against cold and frost in early spring by placing in a sheltered spot or by covering on cold nights.
How to plant – Plant seeds according to the directions on the packet. Pay special attention to depth of planting.
Thinning – Check seed packet for the correct time to thin your plants, then remove the extras. If containers are over-crowded, plants will be spindly and less productive.
Location – Flowers prefer a wide range of conditions from full shade to full sun. Check the seed packet and place your container as directed.
CARING FOR CONTAINER GARDENS
Watering – Check the soil morning and evening for adequate moisture. ( Plastic pots hold moisture better than other types).
Fertilizing – 20-20-20 or 15-30-15 formula every 1 – 2 weeks will produce excellent results.
FLOWERING CONTAINER GARDEN
Here are two suggestions for colorful containers of flowers. There are many others suitable for containers so try picking your favorites and mix them up.
For a garden in full sun:
Surround your Geraniums with a carpet of trailing Lobelia. This dense mat of foliage sports glossy flowers that trail over your container.
Try also Draceana, Geranium, Dusty Miller, Fiberous Begonia, Marigold or Trailing Vinca.
Garden in partial shade or which gets only a few hours of sun:
Fern- a wide variety of both hardy and tropical ferns are available for shady spots.
Tuberous Begonia – Gorgeous large flowers in red, orange, pink, salmon or white. Best with only morning sun.
Impatiens – Vibrant colours are superb in shade.
Waxy Ivy – Glossy green and ivory variegated foliage to cascade over the edge of your container.
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