2016 Annual Picks For Your Minnesota Garden
It's that time of year when we pick out the best and newest annuals for your Minnesota Garden. From angelonias to verbenas and all the annuals in between, see which plants are the top garden retail picks for your Minnesota garden for 2016.
I would like to talk first about the tried and true ones that have been around for a few years and because of the quality and ease of caring for, I suspect they will be around for a long time.
Calliope Geranium
The most common Geraniums are the Seed, Ivy and the Zonal with the advent of the Hybrid Calliope which is a cross between a Zonal and Ivy this Geranium is truly one of the best I have worked with.
Extremely well-branched, vigorous mounding habit is ideal for baskets, large pots and landscape applications. Large semi-double flowers with stunning color; blooms in full sun or part shade locations. It can easily handle the heat, and I have had a few in hanging baskets on the south side of my house with no problems. The part shade location would be the east side of your house using only the morning sun.
State Fair Zinnia
The Zinnia is one of the most popular flowers today, and the State Fair Mixture with its bold striking masses of bright color is perfect for cutting. The tall plants also make ideal tall beds or background planting. Blossoms are about 3 to 5 inches across and are born on long stems from 3 to 5 feet tall. The do very well during our hot Minnesota July days.
Well I could go on about many more tried and true annuals but this about the best of the new annuals for 2016. Stop into Minnesota gardens and our knowledgeable staff would be more than happy to show you about the tried and true annuals.
Our Top Picks For Annuals 2016
Superbells Calibrachoa
The Superbells Calibrachoa Hybrid is one of those annuals that has proven itself over and over again, and I think it will be overtaking the Wave Petunia in the years to come. They might not be as large as the Wave Petunia but they are thick and don't have problems becoming leggy as the Wave does at times. Abundant, small petunia-like flowers all season long on cascading growth, very low maintenance, and very heat tolerant. These are great in a hanging basket, and I have used them as a single plant in pots. The "Garden Rose & Evening Star Superbells Calibrachoa are my pick for 2016.
Dahlia's
Dahlias offer flamboyant flowers on lush plants from summer through fall, right up to the first frost. Dahlias make excellent cut flowers; to achieve nice stems for cutting and bushier, compact plants, pinch out the center shoot just above the third set of leaves. The "Georgia Peach & Lively Lavender" are the perfect colors for a Cottage Garden.
Lantana
Lantana is one of my favorite annuals, the varieties are endless and you can use them in any kind of planting. The "Pinkberry Blend" has tones of pink, yellow and cream produce a gorgeous display of color; heat and drought tolerant with a light, sweet fragrance, blooms up until a hard frost, no deadheading, and very heat tolerant. Some of my favorite are New Gold, American red, Silver Mound, and Spreading Sunset.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera Daisy's have been in Minnesota Gardens for years, but the "Miss Scarlet" is truly one of a kind, what sets this one apart from others is it's stunning color. Like all Gerbera daisy's they need their soil damp, to much or to little water can affect the plant.
Moss Rose (Portulaca)
When it comes to Moss Rose there are always many to chose from, but this year there is one that stands out. The "Mojave" is one that the above picture does not do justice. The color of yellow is all over this one with tight flowers that almost hide the stems. This one is perfect for as a border, container, or in a mass planting. Very heat tolerant, no dead heading, and can handle the humid heat of Minnesota.
I will be sending out my Part 2 of "2016 Top Annual Picks For Minnesota Gardens" in a few days so stay tuned.
