'Early Bird Radiance' Carnations

My 'Early Bird Radiance' Carnations in May 2011, shortly after transplant.

I started with a 6" 'Early Bird Radiance' Carnation (Dianthus 'Early Bird Radiance' USPP) from Al's Garden Center.  This perennial has crimson red flowers and blooms from Spring to early summer (although mine is still blooming and it's now August, follow tips below).  It is compact, closer to a mini carnation, with greenish-blue foliage.

Growing Tips: Plant in full sun and water regularly.  Deadhead spent flowers for more blooms. In late July, trim back all stems from spent flowers, about 3" from the base of the plant for new blooms in August.

Perennial Tips: Trim back all stems from spent flowers, about 3" from the base of the plant at the end of the summer, cover with hazel nut shell mulch for the winter.

'Purity' Candytuft

My 'Purity' Candytuft in June 2011.

I started with a 4" 'Purity' Candytuft 'Iberis sempervirens perennial from Al's Garden Center.  This plant has very soft white flowers that almost look bouncy and lively in the garden atop dark green foliage. This plant is compact and low-growing, ideal for rock gardens or ground cover.

Growing Tips: Plant in full sun or PM shade, water 2 - 3 times per week or until established.  Grows 7 - 9" tall.

Perennial Tips: Once flower petals fall off, you can trim off the flower heads in the early Summer.

Wax Begonia 'Prelude White'

My Wax Begonia is July 2011.

Wax Begonia or 'Begonia semperflorens' has waxy looking, dark green leaves with white flowers, blooms all season. I started with a 4" starter from Al's Garden Center.  These annuals are perfect in summer planter boxes and window containers.

Growing Tips: Plant in sun or part sun, space 12" apart.  Grows 6 - 8" tall.

'Rominette Pink' English Daisy

My English Daisies in June 2011

A flower that keeps on blooming, tons of blooms from Spring through early summer with a nice soft pink color.  Great for low gardens and rock gardens.

Growing Tips: Plant in a cool place with moist soil, in sun or shade. Grows about 5" tall, water weekly during dry spells.

Perennial Tips: Pinch off dead blooms to encourage new blooms. Plant in a cool place for the best rebloom next season.

Mini "Mother's Day" Roses

These mini roses are lovely indoor rose plants, often blooming around Mother's Day.  They do best in a south facing window and bloom mini roses through July. (Above) My Orange Mini Roses shortly after Mother's Day 2011.

Growing Tips: Grow indoors, in a south facing window, allow soil to become dry between waterings.

'Otto Quast' ('Quasti') Spanish Lavender

I started with a 4" starter 'Otto Quast' ('Quasti') Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas, from Al's Garden Center. This particular variety of Lavender has very distinctive large purple flowers and attracts butterflies. (above) My lavender in May 2011, about a month after planting.

Growing Tips: Spanish Lavender prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Grows to 24-26" high and is hardy in zones 7 - 9.  Excellent indoor houseplant for colder climates.

Perennial Tips: Mulch base of plant in winter with hazelnut shells.  This hardy plant will do fine in winter, even with mild snows, if desired, bring indoors over winter.

Rose Mega Splash Geranium

I started with a 3" Americana Rose Mega Splash Zonal Geranium 'Amri Pikegs' from Al's Garden Center. This is a great plant for summer long blooming of rose colored blooms with dark eyes. (above) My Geranium in May 2011 a couple days after transplanting.

Growing Tips: Zonal Geraniums prefer full sun and dry to normal watering. They are heat tolerant and produce dark green leaves.

Devon Cottage (TM) Rosie Cheeks

I started with a 8"Proven Selections Award Winning Devon Cottage (TM) Rosie Cheeks (Dianthus hybrid) carnation.  These carnations are perennials and come back the second year with twice as many blooms.  Blooms from spring to through summer. (above) My Rosie Cheeks in bloom in July.

Growing Tips: Rosie Cheeks prefer full to partial sun and grow 10" - 14" tall.  Water every other day or daily if weather is really hot. For best results, fertilize or feed every couple weeks.  Remove dead blooms to encourage new growth.

Perennial Tips: This is a perennial in zones 7 -11.  Before winter, remove all dead blooms and cover base of plant with hazelnut shells. 

'Americana Violet' Zonal Geranium

I started with a 6" 'Americana Violet' Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) from Al's Garden Center.  I planted it in full sun in a cedar planter box (above, in June 2010).  This annual produces very bold, fuschia colored flowers on top of dark green foliage that will bloom through Summer, great for containers or planters.

Growing Tips: Geraniums prefer full or partial sun and water 2 - 3 times per week until established.  They grow to about 10" - 12" tall and should be grown as an annual.

'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.

Ruby's Tuesday Carnations

I have planted an Award Winning Devon Cottage (TM) Ruby's Tuesday Carnation (Dianthus hybrid) in a large terra cotta pot in full sun.  These carnations grow upright and bloom bright red flowers during Spring and Summer that attract butterflies and are excellent cut flowers (above, my Ruby's Tuesday in May 2010).

Growing Tips: Ruby's Tuesday Carnations prefer full to partial sun, regular watering.  Fertilizing is recommended for best results but I have never fertilized my carnations and they come back every year.  Grows 10" - 14" tall, space 18" apart.

Perennial Tips: Trim back flower stems in Fall for new blooms next year.  Cover exposed soil with hazelnut shell mulch during the winter. Note: This is an annual except in zones 7 - 11.

Pink Vinca

Vinca have large pink flowers on heat-tolerant plants.  Vinca are known for their dark green, rubber like leaves and bright delicate flowers.  Use in beds, borders and window boxes.  I planted my Pink Vinca into a medium-sized terra cotta pot in full sun (above, my Pink Vinca in early May 2010).

Growing Tips:  Plant in full sun, 10" apart, water when top inch of soil is dry.  Grows 5" - 7" tall.

Medium Red Salvia

Medium Red Salvia's are fiery-red flower spikes most often used in borders, beds or pots. I planted my Salvia among Marigolds in a cedar wood planter box in full sun (Above, My Medium Red Salvia in May 2010). 

Growing Tips: Plant in sun or partial sun, spaced 12" apart.  Grows 14" - 18" inches tall.

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) are perennials with striking flowers, usually in pink but can also be white that attract hummingbirds and are very pretty cut.  Bleeding Hearts prefer cool, moist soil which helps prevent summer dormancy. (above) My Bleeding Heart in May 2010.

Growing Tips:  Plant in partial sun or shade in zones 2 through 9.  Blooms midspring to summer and grows to 30" tall.  Space a minimum of 36" apart.  Adapts well to dry or moist conditions but keep watering to a regular schedule.

Perennial Tips: If your bleeding heart is in a place it really likes, it will almost double in size annually so be sure to leave plenty of room when deciding what to plant around it.  I put mine in a large tin washbucket and it LOVES it.  Pick off dead flowers to encourage new blooms all summer.

Pink Astilbe

Astilbe's are long blooming flowers held above airy foliage.  Astilbes are perennials that are one of the earliest plants to grow and love the shade, perfect for bringing color into darker areas of your garden.  My astilbe is actually planted under a large, shady tree where mostly moss finds its way, yet my pink astilbe loves it there and comes back twice its size every year before it.  Typically starts flowering in late May/early June and will bloom through Fall.  (right, my pink astilbe in June 2009)

Astilbes prefer partial shade but can grow in full sun if given plenty of water.  These plants are vitually pest free and will return yearly with little to no maintenance.  No deadheading is necessary but may be cut back in spring if desired.  Divide every 4 - 5 years.

Perennials with Extended Bloom Periods

These perennials have a colorful bloom period of 10 weeks or more. Plant them to maintain color in your garden for longer periods of time. (right) My Garden boxes in late Summer 2008.

• 'Monch' Aster (Aster frikartii 'Monch')
• Bellflower (Campanula carpatica, C. portenschlagiana)
• Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)
• Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum)
• Yellow Bleeding Heart (Corydalis lutea)
• Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra exima)
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Blanketflower (Gaillardia)
• Butterfly Flower (Gaura lindheimeri)
• Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)
• Hollyhock (Alcea)
• Bee Balm (Monarda)
• Catmint (Nepeta cataria)
• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriciplifolia)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
• Meadow Sage (Salvia nemerosa)
• Showy Stonecrop (Sedum telephium)

White Marigolds

Marigolds will bloom from mid-summer until the first frost. They give off a pungent odor that adds a lovely smell to any outdoor garden plus, the aroma of marigolds are not favored by many garden insects making them a natural companion plant in vegetable gardens to keep insects away. Marigolds are very easy to grow from seed, start indoors and transplant outdoors after the first frost for best results. (right) My White Marigolds in late August 2009.

Growing Tips: White Marigolds prefer full to partial sun and water as needed. Remove dead flower blooms to encourage new growth.