Garden Source

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. This plant is also called the Winter Cherry. The flowers are small, white and star shaped, with calyces that enlarge and change from green to red-orange in the fall. The Chinese Lantern grow well in full sun to light shade and in moist, well drained soils. This plant can be invasive, so plant where it can be controlled or in large containers. 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.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Marigold French Dwarf Bonanza Blend, ‘Tagetes patula’, has the pure intense colors of Bonanza plus the improved flower size. It has the largest flowers in the French Marigold category. The Bonanza Blend has 2 inch yellow, orange, and bicolor flowers. They will begin blooming 5 to 6 weeks after seeding and they will continue to bloom until fall. Marigolds prefers rich organic soils. The soil needs to be well drained and not soggy. Pinch off faded flowers to encourage more blooms. Plant in the spring after average last day of frost. French Dwarf Marigolds are excellent for edging, in pots and containers. They make an excellent annual ground cover.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Melon HoneyDew Sweet Delight, ‘Cucumis melo-Inodorous Group (Hybrid)’, has a really wonderful flavor that is sweet and juicy. One of the reasons HoneyDew has not been super popular in this country is the cardboard-like taste you get from the grocery store HoneyDew melons. This vine ripened HoneyDew has an unbelievable sweet, almost winelike flavor. Sweet Delight is a 8 x 7 inch melon weighing in between 7 and 8 pounds. It has a light green flesh and exterior. Melons are an annual warm season plant and they are very sensitive to frost. Melons prefer light well drained soil. Melons are heavy feeders. Fertilize lightly every six weeks after initial sowing. Plant in the spring, 1 to 2 weeks before the last frost or when soil temperatures begin to warm up.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.

The Vanilla Ice sunflower, ‘Helianthus debilis’, produces florist quality cut flowers and is an excellent border plant. The off-white flowers are between 5 and 8 inches wide. The plant is multi-flowered. Vanilla Ice sunflowers are drought tolerant but will take considerable moisture for full flowering. This plant will grow on almost any soil.

Check Prices at Nature Hills Nursery, Inc.