Garden Source

The Morning Glory Bush Ensign Blend, ‘Convoloulus tricolor; is unlike most other morning glories, the intensely colored flowers of the Ensign Blend are open all day. Another difference between “regular” morning glories is that the Ensign grows in a nice tidy mound, which makes it a great annual groundcover. The Ensign Morning glory displays flowers that are 1 to 2 inches across with three different flowers; white with yellow center, intense rose with bright yellow/white starburst patterns and royal blue with the same center pattern. Plant the Ensign Blend in the spring after the last average frost date. Plants started too early are less vigorous than those started later. Locate them in full sun in well drained soils. This morning glory prefers slightly alkaline to very acid soils. This excellent vine will cover fences and trellises, grow as ground cover, or hang in large baskets or pots.

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The Magic Carpet Snapdragon, ‘Antirrhinum majus’, is a dwarf plant that has a trailing habit that makes it excellent for border fronts, planter boxes, and as an unusual groundcover. Magic Carpet Snapdragons blooms in spring to early summer. Snapdragons display shades of red, white, yellow, and pink on 4 to 6 inch flower stalks. They prefer and will bloom best in full sun. Magic Carpet Snapdragons prefer well drained, neutral PH soils. To encourage fall blooming, cut back spent flower stalks after their primary late spring, early summer bloom period. Plant them in early spring. In warm climates, plant in late summer. If the Snapdragons get to bud stage before nights get to 50 degrees, they will bloom much of the winter and spring.

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The Strawflower Mixed Colors, ‘Helichrysum bracteatum’, makes fantastic cut flowers. The colorful medley of strawflowers also is great for ever-lasting dried flowers. This dazzler will radiate color all over the garden. Rock gardens will brighten up, mixed borders will glow, window boxes will shine. The papery pom-pom like flowers are 2. 5 inches across and come in white, bright shades of pink, red, yellow, and orange. The parts of the strawflower that look like petals are actually stiff, modified leaves called bracts. Do you have a hot and dry area that lacks zest? The strawflowers will thrive in hot, full sun areas. They will grow in any well-drained garden soil. Strawflowers tend to have dry leaves at the base. Pinch them off if you cannot stand dry foliage. Plant seeds as soon as the soil is warm and there is no danger of frost.

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The Sunflower Low Down, ‘Helianthus angustifolius Low Down, a Blooms of Bressingham plant, is a dwarf form of Helianthus First Light. It has a solid mass of deep gold flowers. The fuzzy, linear green leaves make a wonderful contrast with the flowers. Low Down has a plant height of 12 and a spread of 20. Helianthus should be planted in full sun with average to well-drained soils. It will grow best with moisture, but can tolerate drought. Try Helianthus as cut flowers, in the back of beds or borders, with Ornamental Grasses or Asters. Birds also love the seeds that are produces. Low Down will give a stunning explosion of color to any perennial garden. PP 13,197

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