Using Flowering Annuals

Annual flowering plants can provide that necessary touch of color to an often-drab landscape. They are best displayed as borders along walkways, fences, and shrub beds. Annuals planted in containers can add a splash of color to a porch, deck, or patio area. They are also enjoyed as fresh and dry cut flowers and can be a very rewarding hobby.

Annuals should serve as an accent to the landscape, not a dominant feature in the setting. Those used in front of the home should harmonize with the setting, and colors should blend with each other and with the home. Large elaborate annual displays are usually too distracting for this area and are best used in the backyard.

When selecting annuals for beds or borders, it is best to limit the choice to as few kinds as possible. Combinations of many flower colors and plant forms can distract from the overall appearance of the display. Attractive flowerbeds can be created by using one plant species.

Flowerbeds should be prepared before plants are purchased. Allowing plants to remain in their original containers for prolonged periods after purchase can have a negative effect on their performance after planting. Purchase plants when you're ready and plant them as soon as possible, preferably within twenty-four hours. The time spent preparing the planting beds is important if you are to be successful with annual flowers. Flowerbeds should be spaded or tilled at least six inches deep several weeks before planting. Florida's sandy soils have very low capacities for holding nutrients and water. Incorporation of two to three inches of organic matter into planting beds will increase the nutrient and water retention of these soils. Organic materials such as leaf mold or peat should be thoroughly mixed into the soil. Garden soils, especially in recently developed areas, are frequently infertile. Flowerbeds should be fertilized prior to planting or at planting time and repeated on a monthly basis. Apply 6-6-6 or a similar complete fertilizer at the rate of two pounds per 100 square feet of bed area. Controlled release fertilizers are ideal for Florida's sandy soils. Plants usually grow much better with a continuous nutrient supply and labor is reduced since controlled release fertilizer application frequency is less than for rapid release fertilizers. Controlled release fertilizers can be incorporated uniformly throughout the soil before planting and applied on the soil surface of established plantings. Water the plants after planting and water daily until the plants have become established. Water the plants "as needed" thereafter. Weeds should be controlled either by hand weeding or mulching. Mulching materials should not come in contact with plants stems. The high moisture environment created by mulch increases the chances of stem rot that can result in plant death. Annuals flowers require more maintenance than most other landscape plants. However, their brilliant colors add an atmosphere of warmth and life to a landscape that more than justifies the additional maintenance.