AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
When springiness finally arrives , who can resist the enticing displays of colorful annuals ? For a keen nurseryman , take the air into our favorite garden heart is like being a Thomas Kyd let informal in a candy storehouse ! The right-down excerption can sometimes be overwhelming , and it ’s not always easy to know which of those tantalising treats is best for spook rather than sun .
We ’re here to aid and have selected our pet , top - do annual found on years of experience . empathize that the good designs contain exciting , colored leaves as well as blossom , we have admit both leafage and blossom in our lean to guide you as you create your bestshade containersyet .
On this page : Fabulous Flowers for Shade|Fantastic Foliage for Shade
FABULOUS FLOWERS FOR SHADE
Rockapulco ® Appleblossom double impatiens . Photo by : Proven Winners
IMPATIENS
Everyone ’s favorite bedding plant , impatiens ( Impatiens walleriana ) can be used for mass planting in the landscape , or quick colour spots for your planters and window loge , and you could be assure of pot of compliments — and blooms . twofold - blossom varieties such as Rockapulco ® Appleblossom ( pictured ) have the appearance of exquisite miniature roses .
For brighter areas , reckon the New Guinea impatiens ( Impatiens hawkeri ) such as Infinity ® Salmon . These have big flower and bolder leaves . New Guinea impatiens broadly speaking do best with afternoon tincture in hotter climate but can tolerate full sun where temperature are more moderate . try advice from your local baby’s room to make the better selection for your area .
Height / Spread:10 to 20 inches marvellous and 1 to 2 foot wide-cut
Try these : Rockapulco ® series , Infinity ® serial .
Read to turn impatiens .
Glory Lemon Rieger begonia . Photo By : Proven winner
BEGONIA
Think of shadowiness - loving flowers , and begonia are likely to be high on your list . There are so many unlike type to pick out from : the frilly , double blooms of Nonstop ® begonia , the compact Rieger begonias , the more vasiform flower forms and elongated foliage ofBegonia bolivienisisand its hybrid , and more . All begonia combine well with other shadiness - bed plants or can see striking as a solo planting .
stocky wax folio begonias have been popular for decades as bedding annuals , while newer varieties have improve form and Lord’s Day permissiveness . Also with a waxy leafage , Dragon offstage begonias are superb short house trailer or mounders , utile both for the landscape or in baskets and planters .
Be careful not to overwater as begonia can be susceptible to mildew .
Height / Spread : Varies considerably with species .
day-and-night ® begonias to try out : Nonstop seriesRieger begonias to try : Glory Lemon , Solenia ApricotBoliviensis begonias and hybrids to try : Summerwings Vanilla , Bossa Nova Pure WhiteDragon wing begonias to try : Dragon Wing seriesWax folio begonias to try : Surefire ® serial publication
acquire beautiful begonias .
eternal ™ Illumination bush violet . picture by : Proven winner
BROWALLIA
Gaining acknowledgement at last and offering an alternative to impatiens , browallia has flower in shades of periwinkle drab , white-hot or violet set on compact , mound plants . Since this does not want deadheading and blooms throughout the season , it volunteer the shade nurseryman another prosperous - upkeep addition for baskets and plantation owner .
Height / Spread:12 to 16 inches marvellous and 10 to 14 inch wide
Browallias to try : Endless ™ Flirtation , Endless ™ light
Laguna ® Compact Blue with Eye lobelia . picture by : Proven Winners
LOBELIA
prim garden really put lobelia ( Lobelia erinus ) on the horticulture map with their loyal showing , combine dark blue lobelia with carmine geranium and bloodless madwort . Today ’s kind withstand the mid - summer oestrus and sunlight much well than their older first cousin yet still perform well in partial shade .
salmagundi are available that remain compact or have a short trailing habit ideal for container edges , and bloom in shades of white , low or lavender .
Lobelia is deer resistive and does not need deadheading .
Height / Spread:6 to 12 column inch tall and 10 to 24 inches wide depending on variety
Compact lobelia to try : Laguna ® Compact Blue with EyeTrailing lobelia to try : Laguna ® Cloud White , Techno ® Dark Blue
Learn lobeliain your garden .
Catalina ® Pink wishbone flower . Photo by : Proven Winners
WISHBONE FLOWER
Once you try wishbone blossom ( Torenia fournieriand hybrid ) , you will always include them in your shade container . The multi - colored , snapdragon - type flower are prolific in fond shade and compound well with other annuals . They are best place at the edge of a container or hoop as these are considered short trailer , making them peculiarly well - suited to containers where long trailing stems are not worthy .
The varietyCatalina ® Midnight Blueis especially effective in combining with orange Bonfire begonia .
wishing bone bloom is deer resistant and rut tolerant . It is also deal abject maintenance , so deadheading is n’t necessary .
Height / Spread:8 to 16 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches broad
Wishbone bloom to essay : Catalina ® serial
pick up wishbone flowerin your garden .
timber tobacco plant . picture by : Gurcharan Singh
WOODLAND TOBACCO
Fragrant , cervid - resistant , and amazingly drouth large-minded , woodland tobacco ( Nicotiana sylvestris ) is a show - stopping annual that often self - sow . Its 4 - 5 ’ tall stems keep clusters of tubular clean flowers that are favored by hummingbird . While these annuals can be grown in full sunshine , intense heat can cause the large leaf to wilt . Bright , dappled shade such as under deciduous trees or at least some protection from spicy good afternoon sun offers the idealistic condition .
In intermediate , moisture - retentive grime these rarely need supplemental water once roots have become well established . Woodland tobacco will often self - sow and the seedling can be transplant if want while still small .
Height / Spread:4 to 6 feet tall , 2 to 3 feet wide
seek : Only the unfrequented
' Lena ' trailing fuchsia . photograph by : Proven Winners
FUCHSIA
Whether you choose single or dual blooms , a trailing , erect , or compact riding habit , pastel nuance or fertile gem tones , there is sure to be a fuchsia that is stark for your invention . There are even a few with attractive variegated foliage , such as Firecracker .
Be thrifty not to allow the plants to dry out out and remove the seed seedpod that resembles a glossy imperial cherry after the petal lessen to encourage more flowers . Otherwise these are easy fear annuals that will reward you with bountiful bloom in the nicety while hummingbirds will delight the tubular bells of any color .
Fuchsias are hoarfrost - tender perennials , but are most often farm as annuals .
Height / Spread:4 to 30 inch tall and 10 to 30 inch wide look upon variety
Trailing fuchsias to try:‘Swingtime ' , ' Lena ' , AutumnaleUpright fuchsias to try : Firecracker,‘Dollar Princess ' , Windchimes ® ,Shadow Dancers ® Betty
Learn fuchsia plantsin your garden .
FANTASTIC FOLIAGE FOR SHADE
Proven Accents ® Pegasus ® Rex begonia . Photo by : Proven winner
REX BEGONIAS
Many of us grow Rex begonias ( Begonia rexand hybrids ) as houseplants in year work by . Today , like the coleus , these have gain renewed interest as trendsetting foliage plants for summer shade containers .
declamatory leaves marked with swirls , spots , stripes or dab in shades of Ag , burgundy , pinkish or green enable you to select the ideal specimen for your color scheme .
For container achiever , do not overcrowd , as poor melody circulation can lead in fungous disease . Also debar overwatering , keep the soil hardly dampish but not waterlogged .
Height / Spread:1 to 3 feet tall and wide
Rex begonias to try : rise Accents Pegasus , Escargot , Paso Doble
hear to acquire begonia .
ColorBlaze ® Sedona Sunset ™ coleus . Photo by : Proven Winners
COLEUS
Once the staples of our grandparents ' living way , coleus ( Plectranthus scutellarioides ) are fashion - forward leafage plants that are now a staple fibre of designers and acute gardener alike .
With hundred of potpourri to choose from , be sure to take the tatter to determine the ultimate sizing and favored lighting conditions . Colors launch the gamut , with variegation and multi - imbue being stock . Most have an vertical riding habit , but there are also some outstanding trailing varieties .
If your pattern have been looking rather dull , a coleus is an easy quick fix .
Height / Spread:14 to 40 inches high and 12 to 36 inches broad , depending upon habit and miscellanea
tint - loving flame nettle to assay : ColorBlaze ® Sedona Sunset ™ ,ColorBlaze ® Strawberry Drop
Read coleus .
Hippo ® Pink polka dot plant . Photo by : Proven Winners
POLKA DOT plant life
A ground cover in tropic mood and a houseplant beloved by our grandparent — but have you essay these colourful beauties in your container designs yet ?
Pink , red , or white leaves are speckled with dark green for a colorful yet elegant facial expression on a works which is surprisingly sluttish to care for . Professional clothes designer love the way polka point plant life ( Hypoestes phyllostachya ) allow a form of tincture consideration and develop beautifully over the time of year .
Height / Spread:16 to 22 inches marvelous and 8 to 14 inches wide
Polka dot works to try : Hippo ® serial publication
find out to develop and care for polka acid works .
middle to Heart ™ ‘ Lemon Blush ’ caladium . exposure by : Proven Winners
CALADIUM
Large , heart - shaped , papery leaf add romance and dramatic play to any shadowiness garden , whether in the landscape painting or a container . While gardeners in fond climate will be capable to farm these from electric-light bulb , everyone can bask them by handle them as a tropical houseplant that gets moved outside when night temperature remain reliably above 55 ’ .
The trick to growing these successfully , especially in container , is to not overwater them . If you use a drip irrigation system of rules , simply keep the lines aside from the crown of the plant life .
Remove older leave as they fade .
Height / Spread:15 to 20 inches tall and 8 to 14 inches wide
caladium to try : Heart to Heart ™ series
Read to grow and care for caladium .
Proven Accents ® ‘ Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red ’ cherubic potato vine . Photo by : Proven achiever
SWEET POTATO VINE
One of the best spectre - make out tracking annuals , sweet potato vine ( Ipomoea batatas ) can be relied upon for adding a sheer biff of color to basket and containers .
While chartreuse varieties may be the most well - known , there are also beautiful bronze and black options to pick out from , with habits that vary from modest to surplus - long trailers and leaf form from heart shaped to finely dissected .
Height / Spread:4 to 10 inches tall , 2 - 5 foot broad
judge these : proved Accents ® ' Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red’,Proven Accents ® Margarita , Proven Accents ® Illusion ® Midnight Lace
Learn how togrow perfumed potato vinein your garden .
‘ Purple Heart ’ . Photo by : Mr. WebLife / Shutterstock
PURPLE gist
If you need to tote up some rich purple foliage to your summer designs , purplish heart ( Setcreasea pallida‘Purple Heart ’ ) may be the answer . democratic as a ground cover in warm climates , this tender flora bet arresting weaving and trailing through seasonal basketball hoop and containers , combining equally well with succulent and bungalow garden favorites .
The foliage color is rich when uprise in hopeful sunlight and moderately juiceless soil , yet the flora still performs well in partial shadiness and distinctive container conditions . little pink prime often stud the segment branches .
Height / Spread:12 to 24 inches grandiloquent and up to 4 foot wide
Waikiki Sunset ™ Lysimachia nummularia . Photo by : Proven Winners
MONEYWORT
If you savour using the perennial cringe William Le Baron Jenny ( Lysimachia nummularia ) to shack from your shade containers , be certain to try out with their first cousin , moneywort ( Lysimachia congestiflora ) .
Waikiki Sunset(pictured ) has bold yellow and green variegate parting stud with the familiar yellow flush . This variety is more of a short roller than a long trailer . Its colorful leaf brightens up tint designs straight off .
Guzmania lingulatabromeliad . picture by : Vitamin / Pixabay
BROMELIAD
Another pop houseplant , Guzmaniabromeliads love spending summer in a shady slur outdoors . Sometimes call in the red star , they are an exciting way to thrust more traditional planting with an unexpected kind and punch of color .
The colourful bracts range from deep purpleness to fervent shades of red , yellow , and orange and last for several months .
These plant do astonishingly well in good calibre , well drained potting ground that is earmark to dry out slightly between watering . While it is often advocate to weewee bromeliads directly into the " cupful " , the space where the leaves gather and form a loving cup towards the base of the industrial plant , our experience has been that they thrive with regular drip irrigation or mitt watering in containers .
Height / Spread:1 to 2 metrical unit grandiloquent and wide
Bromeliads to try on : Classic , Diane
tailflower andraeanum . Photo by : Ilie Raluca / Shutterstock
ANTHURIUM
Take your houseplants on a summertime vacation ! Once night temperatures are sustained above 55 F , it is safe to move the anthuriums and other tropical foliage plants to the patio . Bonus ; these are both rabbit and deer immune .
The glossy heart - mould “ prime ” in shade of crimson , pinkish or purple stand high up above the fleeceable leaves , the central spike , which is often jaundiced adding line , providing many months of color .
As temperature drop in fall , repot and persist in to enjoy this easy - care plant life indoors , but be cognizant that these are considered toxic to cat and weenie .
tailflower to sample : Flamenco , Dakota
Learn how togrow anthurium plants .
Proven Accents ® charm ® Wine shamrock . Photo by : Proven victor
SHAMROCK
Feeling favorable ? Try this deep plum shamrock ( Oxalishybrid ) in your wraith gardens this year . Each foliage cluster is the size of your medallion ! Used as a ground cover or color punch in your planter , these delightful plant are certain to delight , while the glowering foliation is the arrant foil for the soft blush - pinkish flowers .
One of the keys to achiever is careful watering , especially in a container . It prefers consistently moist yet not saturated condition , so keep the irrigation transmission line away from the crown to avoid rotting .
In mild winter , this may be perennial or the plant can be saved as a houseplant if you opt .
Height / Spread:6 to 16 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide
Shamrock to try : Proven Accents ® Charmed ® Wine
see how togrow common wood sorrel plantsin your garden .
Sprengeri edible asparagus fern . Photo by : Cherdchai Chaivimol / Shutterstock
SPRENGERI ASPARAGUS FERN
Another tender perennial most often grow as an annual or indoor plant , asparagus fern ( Asparagus densiflorus’Sprengeri ' ) can add a wonderful feathery smell to your summer patio specter gardens . The Sprengeri Asparagus officinales fern is one we discover especially easy to grow .
Keep the soil moist and provide good afternoon shade for this to thrive , then just tolerate back and watch over it weave its way through your hanging baskets and planters . The fine needlelike texture is a perfect way to soften bolder foliage of tropical plants or split up up the predictability of a flower - focused conception .
Height / Spread:1 to 2 foot improbable and 2 to 3 feet wide-eyed
Croton . Photo by : pisitpong2017 / Shutterstock
CROTON
Often found en masse in tropic landscapes and enjoyed as a houseplant in colder areas , crotons ( Codiaeum variegatum ) also offer spectacular summer color for shade containers . While full sun will sear the rubbery leaves , this tropic perennial ( often grown as an yearly ) thrives in partial sunshine / shade where its colourful foliation add an alien signature .
If you necessitate to wake up your specter designs , croton may be the perfect result .
Height / Spread:1 to 2 foot improbable and 1 to 2 feet broad
Varieties to try : Zanzibar , Petra , Oakleaf
