GardeningSphere

Impala Castor Bean

The Castor Bean Impala, 'Ricinus communis', has fast growing, dramatically tropical, dark bronze foliage. Because all parts of this plant are poisonous, do not plant this near very small children and pets. With this in mind, you will love this plant if you need a tall tropical looking screen. Small scarlet flowers appear on foot-high stalks, followed by prickly husks, which contain brown speckled seeds. The Caster Bean is an excellent quick hedge. The large copper-red leaves are dramatic and tropical looking.

None-So-Pretty Catchfly

The Catchfly None-So-Pretty, 'Silene armeria', has a spectacular hot pink color all spring, summer, and fall. Planted in mass, Catchfly has an absolutely breathtaking impact. The sticky stems captures insects, hence the name. The flowers are displayed in small, hot pink clusters. The None-So-Pretty bloom from late spring to fall. In warm climates plant in late summer or early fall for spring bloom. The None-So-Pretty Catchfly is excellent in containers, in borders, and rock gardens.

Pampas Plume Celosia

The Celosia Pampas Plume, 'Celosia argentea plumosa', has dramatic masses of soft, feathery plumes that are stunning in fresh and dried flower arrangements. The upright plumes are 6 to 12 inches tall with flowers the colors of scarlet, rose, carmine, gold, cream and bronze. The Celosia argentea are widely cultivated as a bedding annual. Plant in the spring, after the last average frost date. The Celosia Pampas Plume provide a dramatic garden backdrop or focal point in beds, borders or containers.

Chinese Lantern

The Chinese Lantern, 'Physalis alkekengi (franchetii)', has bright orange, lantern-shaped, papery seed cases that will glow in your garden in the late summer. The Chinese Lantern is very popular because of its brilliant color, unique shape, and easy to grow capabilities. Plant in the spring, 1 to 2 weeks before the last frost or in the summer up to 2 months before the first fall frost. The Chinese Lantern is a striking addition to fall/winter decorations, as well as late summer color for borders, beds and containers.

Chocolate Flower

The Chocolate Flower, 'Berlandiera lyrata', has it all. The colorful, fragrant plant attracts butterflies and is drought tolerant and the aroma may either satisfy or intensify your craving for chocolate. This plant is also called chocolate daisy, greeneyes, lyre-leaf greeneyes, and brooch flower. Chocolate Flowers have 1 1/2 inch composite flowers with yellow center rays and a maroon center disk array. Deadhead regularly to extend the bloom season. Plant this flower in groups along a walkway or patio for maximum effect.

Clary Sage

The Clary Sage, 'Salvia sclarca', is a truly spectacular plant with fountains of 3' tall flower stems. In addition to its numerous panicles of flowers, the entire plant releases a pleasant garden fragrance. The flowers are pale lilac, 1 inch long tubular blooms, with very prominent rose-red bracts on 2 to 3 foot tall square stems. The Clary Sage blooms in summer through early fall. Clary Sage is used for tea, and the fresh or dried leaves are used the same way as sage. The leaves are also used to make sachets and potpourri.

Cherry Queen Cleome

The Cleome Cherry Queen, 'Cleome spinosa', is a knockout. The Cherry Queen is very easy to grow and lends authority to any garden. The flower clusters, 3 to 6 inches across, are a deep carmine-rose with golden buds. The Cherry Queen is a wonderful flower to attract butterflies. Cherry Queens bloom in late July through first frosts and can be hardy if grown in protected sites. They can be mass planted in island beds, instead of trees or shrubs, where a strong vertical impact is needed. Plant in full sun for best results.

Violet Queen Cleome

The Cleome Violet Queen, 'Cleome spinosa', is a knockout! It is easy to grow and lends authority to any garden with the wonderful late summer color. The fluffy flower clusters are 3 to 6 inches across, and are a deep violet color. The Violet Queen is a wonderful flower to attract butterflies. The flowers and dry seed capsules are wonderful in arrangements. They can be mass planted in island beds, instead of trees or shrubs, where a strong vertical impact is needed. Plant in full sun for best results.

Rainbow Blend Coleus

The Coleus Rainbow Blend, 'Coleus hybridus', is one of the best plants for adding masses of colorful foliage to shady areas. Great in north facing flower beds and around shade trees. It is also an excellent houseplant that will add color on those dreary winter days. The foliage colors are white, bronze, gold, copper, yellow, pink, red, and purple. Insignificant flower spikes appear in late summer. Rainbow Blends are great for pots and planters.

McKansas Giant Blend Columbine

The Columbine McKana's Giant Blend, Aquilegea 'Mckana Giant', displays a beautiful range of flower colors along with graceful flower spurs that makes this tall columbine a must. McKana's Giant is a superior strain developed for its very large 3 inch flowers, a beautiful range of colors, and long graceful spurs. The flower colors are blue, pink, maroon, purple, and bicolor. The Columbine McKana's Giant Blend, is used in rock gardens, border plants, and for cut flowers. Hummingbirds love the Columbine plant.

Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine

The Columbine Rocky Mountain Blue, 'Aquilegea caerulea', contains nectar in the tip of the petal's narrow spur that can only be reached by hummingbirds. It is the state flower of Colorado. This is a great addition to any perennial garden. The 2 inch or longer blue and white flowers appear atop wiry stems. Plant in early spring or as late as 2 months before the first fall frost. The Columbine Rocky Mountain Blue is used in rock gardens, border plants, and for cut flowers.

Double Sunburst Coreopsis

The Coreopsis Double Sunburst, 'Coreopsis lanceolata', is very easy to grow and it has a long blooming period. Coreopsis are quick to come up, early to bloom, and "free flowering", meaning they bloom until first frost. They are relatively drought tolerant and it is a great plant for the wildflower patch. The semi-double yellow flowers are 2 to 3 inches across and are set on slender wiry stems. It is excellent for naturalized areas and rock gardens. The flowers make excellent long-lasting dried flowers.

Plains Dwarf Bicolor Coreopsis

The Coreopsis Plains Dwarf Bicolor, 'Coreopsis tinctoria (Calliopsis)', is a cheerful member of the Sunflower family and will delight gardeners with its vivid yellow and maroon flowers and feathery green foliage. The Coreopsis Dwarf Bicolor is very easy to grow and displays brilliant, easy color with continuous blooms. The flowers are 1 to 2 inches across and have a deep burgundy center. The foliage is dill scented. They are often used for cut flowers. Remove old flowers (deadhead) to encourage additional blooms.

Milas Rose Queen Corn Cockle

The Corn Cockle Milas Rose Queen, 'Agrostemma githago', is a fragile looking but very sturdy plant with delicate pink and white flowers that will delight you all summer. The Corn Cockle looks dramatic when planted in mass and is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions. It will tolerate wind and less than perfect soils. It is the ideal flower for continuous summer/fall show of color. Plant in the spring after the last average frost date in cold climates. In warm climates seed in the fall or winter for early spring bloom.

Albatross Cosmos

The Cosmos Albatross, 'Cosmos bipinnatus', is a pure white selection of the 'Early Sensation' series. Lovers of white flowers must try this Cosmos. The masses of pure white flowers are very early on this tall Cosmos variety, and the flowers are 3 to 5 inches in size. Cosmos begin blooming 10 weeks after seeding and bloom from summer to first fall frost. They are excellent colorful bedding plants for low maintenance, dry areas and are great for cut flowers. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Bright Lights Blend Cosmos

The Cosmos Bright Lights Blend, 'Cosmos sulphureus', displays an absolutely magnificent blend of yellow, gold, and scarlet flowers. The Bright Lights Blend are "landing lights" for butterflies. Bright Lights has very vibrant, bright, bold colors compared to other Cosmos. The 2 to 3 inch flowers adorn the 3 foot semi-dwarf plant.They are excellent colorful bedding plants for low maintenance, dry areas and are great for cut flowers. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Candy Stripe Cosmos

The Cosmos Candy Stripe, 'Cosmos bipinnatus', has markings that are truly unique and vary with each flower. It displays a white background color with rose stripes and markings on flowers that are 2 to 3 inches wide. The Candy Stripe almost thrives on neglect. Cosmos begin blooming 10 weeks after seeding and bloom from summer to first fall frost. They are excellent colorful bedding plants for low maintenance, dry areas and are great for cut flowers. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Sea Shells Cosmos

The Cosmos Sea Shells Blend, 'Cosmos bipinnatus', is a very unique Cosmos with rolled petals looking a bit like a sea shell with a yellow button eye. Solid colored flowers (and a few bicolors) of white, pink, rose, and crimson, adorn this Cosmos. The flowers are rolled quilled petals, 3 to 4 inches wide with yellow centers. They are excellent colorful bedding plants for low maintenance, dry areas, and are great for cut flowers. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Sensation Blend Cosmos

The Cosmos Sensation Blend,' Cosmos bipinnatus', is just what its name implies, a sensation. The Sensation Blend is a tall, colorful, wild, cheerful plant that blooms all summer. This Cosmos is tall and covered with large 3 to 4 inch white, pink, rose, and crimson flowers. Cosmos begin blooming 10 weeks after seeding and bloom from summer to first fall frost. They are excellent colorful bedding plants for low maintenance, dry areas and are great for cut flowers. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Yellow Garden Cosmos

The Cosmos Yellow Garden, 'Cosmos bipinnatus', has a unique, unusual soft lemon-yellow color. Yellow Garden is a very vigorous grower and blooms later that some Cosmos. And remember, neglect is the kind of care Cosmos prefer. The Cosmos begin blooming 10 weeks after seeding and bloom from summer to first fall frost. They are excellent colorful bedding plants for low maintenance, dry areas and are great for cut flowers. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Cupids Dart

The Cupids Dart, 'Catananche caerulea', is a truly low maintenance perennial that blooms the first year from seed. The flowers are blue, darker towards the center with contrasting yellow stamens. Cupids Dart blooms in early summer and then blooms off and on until first frost. The raggedy petaled, lavender blue daisies bloom profusely for several weeks. Plant in early spring, 2 to 4 weeks before last average frost date. The Cupids Dart makes a long lasting cut flower, and they will naturalize in wildflower plantings.

Cypress Vine

The Cypress Vine Funny Valentine Blend, 'Tpomea guamoclit', has stunning feathery, fern-like foliage with masses of white, pink and red tubular flowers that flare into a five-pointed star. This vine is very fast growing and has a tropical-looking foliage. The Funny Valentine Blend produces 1 1/2 inch flowers on a 6 to 20 foot vine. The Funny Valentine Blends are used for pots, baskets, climbing up fences, trellises and as a ground over. They make a tremendous fast growing screen. Most parts of this plants are poisonous.

Delight Mix Dahlia

The Dahlia Delight Mix, 'Dahlia variabilis', is a fabulous dwarf Dahlia with long lasting blooms that will provide a continuous supply of cut flowers for your summer bouquets. The large, vibrantly colored 3 inch flowers are in shades of red, yellow, orange, rose-pink, and white. The Delight Mix bloom continually from summer through fall. Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Plant in the spring after the last frost. This Dahlia is easy to grow and makes an excellent cut flower, border, or container plant.

Mignon Silver Dahlia

The Dahlia Mignon Silver, 'Dahlia variabilis', has elegant, pure white flowers that are most enjoyed during the evening as the the twilight dulls other garden colors. For white flower lovers, this beautiful flower is a must for your beds, borders, or large containers. The large 3 inch pure white flowers bloom continually from summer through fall. Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Plant in the spring after the last frost. This Dahlia is easy to grow and makes an excellent cut flower.

African Mix Daisy

The Daisy African Cape Marigold, 'Dimorphotheca aurantiaca', should be called "Goddess of the Sun" for flowers that reflect the beauty and the burning color of the sun. The 1 1/2 inch wide flowers close at night, in the shade, and during cloud cover. The flowers are colored in shades of orange and yellow. This plant is excellent for naturalized areas and as ground cover for large areas. It is also great for parking strips, borders, large pots and tubs.

Gloriosa Daisy

The Daisy Gloriosa Blend, 'Rudbeckia hirta 'Gloriosa', has huge 4 to 7 inch flowers. The Gloriosa Blend loves the heat and is drought tolerant. Grown as an annual, Gloriosa Daisy is technically a short-lived perennial and may come back for a second or third year. The large, wide yellow flowers have brown bands or stripes with a brown center. The Gloriosa Blend is excellent for wildflower planting and in beds and borders. They maintain their color after other flowers are beginning to fade in the fall.

Painted Robinsons Mix Daisy

The Daisy Painted Robinsons Blend, 'Chrysanthemum coccineum', has bright beautiful 3 inch daisy-like flowers on long stems which makes the Painted Daisy a great cut flower. It's hard to believe that flowers this bright and dramatic come from a perennial plant. Another common name for the Painted Daisy is Pyrethrum. Plant in the spring, 2 weeks before the average last frost date or in the summer up to 2 months before the first fall frost. The Painted Daisy is excellent as a cut flower.