PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA

ANNUALS

Height: 8-12"
Space: 10-14
​Ageratum

Produces a profusion of fluffy flowers all season long. Most common shade is lavender-blue, but colors also include pink, violet and white. Grows well in sun or partial shade from early summer to first frost. Excellent for rock gardens, flower beds and containers.
Height: 4-6"
Space: 10"
Alyssum

Forms a wonderfully fragrant carpet of color which lasts from spring to frost. Requires a sunny site and well-drained soil. Water as needed to keep soil evenly moist. Excellent for beds, edging, rock gardens as well as mixed containers.
Height: 12-24"
Space: 12-14"
​Angelonia

​Upright bushy warm season annual with thin stems and profusion of small snapdragon like flowers. Blooms from late spring through fall. Thrives in full or partial sun and moist, fertile soil with good drainage. Tolerates heat and humidity. Excellent cut flower and suitable for containers. Attract butterflies. Deer resistant.
Height: 10-20"
Space: 10-14"
Argyranthemum

Upright mounded herbaceous silver/grey foliage covered with daisy like flowers. It comes in shades of white, yellow, pink, red; with single or double flowers; single flowers have yellow center. It requires full sun and fertile well-drained soil. It is excellent for patio planters, beds and borders. Attracts bees and butterflies. Deer resistant.
Height: 8"
Space: 9"
Begonia

Provides free flowering masses of color all summer in shades of white, yellow, pink and red, depending on the type. Begonias have very attractive waxy green or chocolate colored leaves. There are two types of annual Begonia: semperflorens and tuberous, another type is Rex begonia. Semperflorens is the most popular one with round green or bronze waxy leaves and single or double flowers in shades of white, pink and red. Tuberous begonia grows from tubers and comes in a variety of colors and shapes. The blooms may be single or double; plain, ruffled or toothed; their petals may have crests or blotches of contrasting color. Rex begonia is grown for its spectacular leaves, which come in every color, pattern and shade, and every size and shape. Begonias require sun to shade, depending on the type and thrive in rich soil, allowing it to dry slightly between watering. Excellent for beds, borders and containers.
​
​​Height: 10-18"
Space: 10-12"
Calibrachoa

Bracteantha, or also known as paper daisy, has daisy like heads with papery bracts. There are a number of varieties but the most common is the strawflower, available in shades of white, yellow, orange and magenta. Requires full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Thrives in fertile, well-drained soil. Strawflower is free-flowering from spring to autumn. Suitable for patio planters and garden beds. Also could be used as a cut flower in floral arrangements, both fresh and dry. 
​Height: 12-24" depending on the variety
Space: 18-20" depending on the variety
Celosia

Celosia is a small genus of ornamental plants, similar in appearance to amaranths. There are three types of celosia – crested, plume and wheat. One bears brightly colored flowers that resemble a cock’s comb in appearance. The flowers come in yellow, orange, crimson or pink. The second type has a soft and fluffy like a feather plume flower in shades of crimson, scarlet and gold. The third resembles a wheat head. Celosia is heat and drought tolerant but lack of steady moisture can stunt the plant. Blooms through summer. Thrives in a sunny location and well-drained soil. Celosia is suitable for patio planters and garden beds.
​Height:
  • Dwarf – 6-12"
  • Tall – up to 3'
Space: 12-24"
Coleus

There are a lot of varieties with different Height and color. It is valued highly for its shade tolerance, although it will grow in sun if the soil is high in moisture or if watered regularly. It thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Coleus is sensational massed in garden beds, as well as used as an accent or focal point in patio planters or garden beds.
Height: 10-18"
Space: 10-12"
Bracteantha

Bracteantha, or also known as paper daisy, has daisy like heads with papery bracts. There are a number of varieties but the most common is the strawflower, available in shades of white, yellow, orange and magenta. Requires full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Thrives in fertile, well-drained soil. Strawflower is free-flowering from spring to autumn. Suitable for patio planters and garden beds. Also could be used as a cut flower in floral arrangements, both fresh and dry. 
Height: 12-36"
Space: 6-24"
Dahlia

Dahlias are summer blooming tuberous plants in an array of different colors, shapes and sizes. There are a lot of cultivated varieties of dahlias, ranging in Height from 12" to as tall as 6-8’. The flowers can be as small as 2" or up to a foot in diameter. Requires full sun and will tolerate most soil types, as long as it has good drainage. Dahlias are excellent cut flowers. They are suitable for patio planters, window boxes and garden beds.
​Height: 8"
Space: 9"
Dianthus

Summer flowers provide rich color and sweet fragrance over a long season. Available in shades of red, rose and white. Requires full sun and thrives in fertile, well drained soil kept evenly moist. Used in rock gardens, beds and borders. 
​
Height: 6-14"
Space: 8-10"
Diascia

This lovely, delicate plant, member of the snapdragon family, flowers abundantly throughout the summer. The flower is shaped with a large drooping lower lip and four smaller curly petals at the top. Requires a sunny position and well-drained soil. It is excellent for patio planters and window boxes.
Height: 6-10"
Space: 10-12"
Dusty Miller

Wonderful contrast plant with silvery white leaves. Requires sun to part sun and regular watering. Used in borders, beds, gardens and mixed containers as an accent.

Fuchsia

Distinctive downward facing flowers make this trailing plant ideal for hanging baskets. The flowers, often in bi-color, appear in shades of red, pink, white and purple. Requires sun to partial shade. Even though it is a tropical plant, it does not tolerate excessive heat. Do not allow to dry out. Attracts hummingbirds. Great for window boxes and hanging baskets.


​
Height: 8-24"
Space: 14-24"
Height: 6-12"
Space: 12-15"
​Gazania

Gazania produces an abundance of 4-inch daisy like flowers that close on cloudy days and compact 12-inch high dark green rosettes of leaves. Tolerates drought, heat and humidity. Requires full sun and it is easy to grow even in poor, sandy soils. Blooms in spring or summer depending on the variety and location. It is excellent for beds, borders or ground cover.
Picture
Geranium

This low maintenance annual produces masses of flowers from spring through frost. Geranium blooms in a wide range of colors – white, pink, salmon, lavender, magenta and all shades of red. There are a few types of geraniums: zonal, ivy (trailing), Regal (Martha Washington) and scented. Zonals have upright, bushy habit, reaching 1-3’. Ivy geraniums have trailing habit and glossy ivy shaped leaves. Regal geraniums have large, showy flower clusters and wavy-edged leaves. Regals bloom in early spring when night temperatures remain below 60 degrees. All types require full sun and well-drained soil. Geraniums are great for patio planters, window boxes, hanging baskets and garden beds, either massed or in combinations.
​
Height: 12-24"
                                        Space: 10-24"
Gerbera

Brilliant daisies in a variety of colors. Requires sun to part sun and regular watering. It is excellent as cut flower, in containers or at garden’s edge.
​



​
Height: 6-12"
Space: 8-15"
​Height: 6-8"
Space: 12-24"
Impatiens

Popular shade lover, not only does it have an extensive range of colors, but it flowers nonstop all summer. The mound- shaped plants are classified as dwarf (1’), medium (2’) or tall (3’ or more) and spread to several times their mature Height. The flowers are small but numerous; color choices include white, crimson, pink, salmon, scarlet, orchid, rose and orange, and a range of bi-colors. Some varieties have double flowers. Although famous for its vibrant, prolonged displays in shade, impatiens will also grow in part sun provided that soil is cool and moist.
Height: 4-14"
Space: 10-30"
Ipomoea

This vigorous, spreading vine also known as sweet potato vine has an attractive foliage and is available in shades of green, red, bronze, dark purple, tricolor and variegated. It could be grown either in full sun or shade and requires regular watering. It is excellent for mixed patio planters, hanging baskets and garden beds.
​
​
​Height: 9-36"
Space: 10-24"
​Lantana

Lantana is a shrubby verbena like annual which blooms profusely throughout the summer. It comes in shades of white, yellow, gold, orange, fuchsia and red, some are in bi-color. Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Frost sensitive. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Great for mixed patio planters, window boxes, hanging baskets. 
Lobelia

Lobelia is a low-growing, compact, spreading annual which produces masses of small vibrant flowers in shades of white, pink, blue and purple. Requires cool location with full sun, partial sun or shade and regular watering. Blooms from spring through fall. Excellent for rock gardens, edging, hanging baskets and patio planters.
Height: 4-12"
Space: 6-14"
Marigold

Marigolds are easy to grow and have a long flowering period. There are two varieties of Marigolds, characterized by their growing habit: African and French. African marigolds have an upright growth and can reach Height of 30"-40." Their scent is strong and unpleasant therefore effective in repelling many garden pests. The African comes in shades of yellow and orange. French marigolds grow to only 8-16" and are often multicolored in shades of yellow, orange, mahogany and crimson. Both varieties require full sun and regular watering.

Marigolds are suitable for garden beds and containers.

Height:
  • African – 16-24"
  • French – 8-16"
Space: 8-16" depending on variety
Height: 6-14"
Space: 8-12"
Nemesia

Nemesia resembles snapdragon to which it is related. It grows up to 1" tall, with sparsely branched plants. The flowers form large clusters on top of thin erect stems. Nemesia is available in shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple and few multi-colored. Requires full sun and regular watering. Thrives in fertile, well drained soil. Its light, airy texture makes this plant ideal for hanging baskets, mixed containers and window boxes.
Height: 10-14"
Space: 6-10"
New Guinea Impatiens

This upright compact bushy annual has long and narrow, green, bronze or purple leaves and a profusion of flowers, growing up to 2" in diameter in shades of white, pink, salmon, orange, red, lavender and purple. Requires sun to part shade and thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Great for garden beds and borders, either massed or in combination, also suitable for patio planters and hanging baskets.
​
Height: 1-3’
depending on the variety
Space: 8-36"
​depending on the variety
Nicotiana

Fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, red, purple and green grow on slender stems. Requires sun to partial shade and generous watering during hot dry weather. Attracts humming birds. Suitable for containers and garden beds.
Osteospermum

Attractive upright or trailing plant with dark green foliage and daisy like flowers in a wide range of colors. The flowers open fully in direct sun and close in the evenings. Requires full sun and moist well-drained soil. Attracts butterflies. It is excellent for hanging basket, patio planters as well as garden beds, either massed or in combinations.
​

​
Height: 6-24"
Space: 8-24"
Pansy

Large, brilliantly colored flowers, some fragrant, grow on compact, cold hardy plants. Requires sun to part shade. Thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and cool temperatures. It blooms in early spring and will bloom again in fall. Used in borders and window boxes. 
​


​
Height: 6-8"
Space: 6-8"
Height: 18-24"
Space: 10-18"
Pentas

Dark green, lance-shaped leaves provide a backdrop for clusters of starry flowers. Requires full sun and excellent drainage. Drought tolerant. Flowers continuously from spring to autumn. Attracts butterflies and dark pink varieties - hummingbirds. Great in patio planters, baskets and borders.
​
​
Height: 15-23"
Space: 10-14"
Pericallis

Masses of vividly-hued blooms float above rounded, compact foliage. It will tolerate low temperatures outside in early spring. Requires full sun to partial shade and regular watering. Great for patio planters and garden beds.
Height: 12-15"
Space: 9-12"
Petunia

An abundance of large trumpet shaped flowers bloom all summer. Petunia is available in almost every color imaginable, including bi-color. Requires sun to partial sun and well-drained soil. Excellent for patio planters, massed or in combinations; window boxes and garden beds.
Height: 2-6"
Space: 6-8"
Portulaca

A low, ground-hugging, succulent from the semi desert regions of South America, portulaca spreads 3 feet or more, yet rarely exceeds 6" in Height. Portulaca covers itself with cupped single or semi-double flowers resembling miniature roses. Colors include white, yellow, orange, magenta, pink, red, salmon and purple; petals have an attractive sheen. Requires full sun and medium watering. Heat and drought tolerant. Used in beds and borders, as well as rock gardens.
Height: 12-36"
Space: 8-10"
Salvia

This spiky annual with a cluster of flowers on top comes in shades of white, salmon, red, blue and purple. Requires sun to partial shade and regular watering. Blooms late spring to fall. It is great for mixed patio planters and garden beds, either massed or in combinations.
Height: 8-12"
Space: 10-12"
Scaevola

Scaevola or also known as fan flower because of its flowers shape, comes in shades of white, blue and pink and has a trailing habit. It is a low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant annual. Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Blooms from spring through frost. It is excellent for patio planters, window boxes and hanging baskets.
​
Height: 4-24"
Space: 6-16"
Snapdragon

The classic snapdragon is a spire up to 4 feet tall, with tubular flowers studded along the top third of the stem. Snapdragon varieties are classified by Height, in tall, medium and dwarf categories. Colors include white, yellow, orange, red, pink and a range of bi-colors. Snapdragons are hardy annuals and can be transplanted outdoors several weeks before the last frost. Require a sunny location in a rich, well-drained soil and regular watering. Excellent for patio planters and garden beds.
Height: 2-14"
Space:6-12"
Torenia

Torenia forms a compact bushy mound with profusion of similar to snapdragon flowers with distinctive yellow marks on the petals. The most common shade is blue, but colors also include white, yellow, pink and violet. Requires partial shade. Thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Blooms all summer. Attracts hummingbirds. It is excellent for patio planters, window boxes and hanging baskets.
​
Height: 4-12"
Space:8-14"
Verbena

Most Verbena hybrids are low-growing, spreading plants with dark serrated leaves and flowers arranged in clusters of primrose-like florets, up to 21/2 “ inches across. Colors include white, blue, red and pink, some with contrasting eye. Requires full to part sun and regular watering to maintain continuous bloom. Thrives in any soil with good drainage. Excellent as a groundcover in beds and borders, also great in window boxes, hanging baskets or patio planters for creating a cascading effect.
Height: 4-12"
Space: 6-18"
Viola

This low growing compact annual has dainty fragrant flowers in an array of colors and blooms profusely through spring. Viola fades away in the hottest days of summer, but will bloom again in fall. It requires full to partial sun and will grow in any type of soil. It is suitable for patio planters and garden beds.
Height: 12-30"
Space: 10-14"
Zinnia

Native to semi desert areas of Mexico, zinnia relishes the heat and dislikes cool, wet summers. It comes in a wide range of colors and hues and is classified by Height as dwarf (12"), medium (20") or tall (30"). The flowers can be as small as 1-2 inches across or as big as 7 inches, depending on the variety. Requires sunny spot and fertile, well-drained soil. It blooms from summer till frost. The large dahlias like flower heads are excellent for patio planters and garden beds, as well as cut flowers.

PERENNIALS

Height: 18"
Space: 18-24"
Achillea ‘Paprika’

Fernlike foliage with ruby-red flowers. Grows best in full sun and in most types of garden soil. Heat tolerant. Blooms in summer.

Excellent for borders as well as arrangement both fresh and dried. 

USDA Hardiness Zone 2-10
​
Height: 18-24"
Space: 18-24"
Achillea ‘Saucy Seduction’

This upright selection has uniform clusters of rose-pink flowers with tiny white eyes, compact growth habit and long bloom period. 

Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Drought and heat tolerant. It is great for mixed borders, mass plantings and containers.

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8​
Height: 24-30"
Space: 15-18"
Achillea ‘Summer Pastels’

A soft palette of pastel colors which include rose, pink, yellow and orange. 

Requires full sun and light to moderate watering. Blooms in summer. Used in mixed borders and rock gardens, Achillea is excellent long-lasting cut flower as well. Attracts butterflies. 

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9
Ajuga ‘Bronze Beauty’

Evergreen, shimmering, deep bronze foliage provides interest year round. Spikes of blue, bugle-shaped flowers are an added bonus. It prefers regular watering and thrives in any type of soil.
Very fast growing versatile groundcover. Grows well under trees. Also does well in rock gardens. 

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8
Height: 6"
Space: 12"
Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’

​Beautifully variegated leaves of creamy pink and silver, splashed with purple, provide an interesting tricolor effect. Prefers regular watering and thrives in any type of soil.

Very fast growing. Grows well under trees. Also does well in rock gardens. 

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8
Height: 30"
Space: 12-15"
Aquilegia ‘Denver Gold’

​This native selection has huge 3" bright yellow flower with exceptionally long spurs. Prefers well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Excellent for perennial borders, rock or wildflower gardens.

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9
​
Height: 10"
Space: 12"
Artemisia ‘Silver Mound’

​Forms a handsome mound of silvery cushions of foliage. Flowers are small, white, and insignificant. 
Prefers light to moderate watering. Blooms in summer. 
Provides wonderful color and texture contrast in beds and rock gardens. Stylishly blends bright and subtle colors in the garden. For best appearance, shear plant back before it blooms to minimize sprawling and ‘bird nesting.'
USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8
Height: 8"
Space: 12"
Campanula ‘Deep Blue Clips’

​Intense blue, cup-shaped flowers bloom all summer long, showing excellent all-around performance. Tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Prefers fertile soil and generous amounts of water in summer. Keep on the dry side through autumn and winter. For best results, apply mulch in summer to retain moisture and help keep roots cool. Remove faded blooms.
Perfect for pathways edgings, border fronts and rock gardens.
USDA Hardiness Zone 4-7