'Fantasia Cardinal Red Imp' Zonal Geranium

I started with a 4" starter 'Fantasia Cardinal Red Imp' Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) from Al's Garden Center.  This is a premium annual that produces masses of semi-double bright red flowers a top of dark green leaves.  It has excellent garden vigor and holds up to the hottest weather.  I planted mine in a cedar planter box (above, My Geranium in May 2010).

Growing Tips: Prefers full sun and water 2 - 3 times per week until established. Grows 15" - 18" tall.  Clip off dead flowers to encourage new blooms.

Dwarf Orange Marigold

I started with six 1" Dwarf Orange Marigold starters from Fred Meyer Garden Center.  I planted them all around the garden in terra cotta pots and cedar boxes.  Dwarf Orange Marigolds produce large, crested double flowers with a deep orange hue. Perfect for gardens or containers.  While marigolds are a natural pesticide for vegetable gardens, they do attract slugs in wet weather.

Growing Tips: Dwarf Orange Marigolds prefer full sun.  Plant 4" apart, grows 10 - 12" tall.  Remove dead flower blooms to encourage new growth throughout the summer.

White Alyssum

I planted six 2" White Alyssum starters from Al's Garden Center in an old metal washbin surrounding my Bleeding Heart.  White Alyssum's produce abundant masses of small, fragrant flowers that are great for edging and borders in pots and beds.  (above) My White Alyssum in May 2010 right after transplanting.

Growing Tips: White Alyssum prefer full sun or partial sun.  Water 2 - 3 times per week until established.  They grow to about 3" - 6" tall.

Sunny Lemon Star Thunbergia

I started with a 1 1/2 foot starter plant, 'Sunny Lemon Star' Thunbergia from Al's Garden Center.  I had an 'Apricot' one the year before and LOVED it!  This is an annual vine that will grow quickly and cover a small to medium trellis by summers end with lovely bunches of bright yellow flowers that bloom almost daily throughout the Summer.  I planted mine in a large terra-cotta pot with a wooden trellis for support (above) My Sunny Lemon Star Thunbergia in May.

Growing Tips: Thunbergia prefer full sun and moderately moist soil with a trellis or wall to climb, it will grow 12 - 15 feet tall or you can wind it back and forth on a shorter trellis.