How to Care for Petunias

Petunias are the perfect plant for hanging baskets, bare garden spots, and container gardens. 

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How to Care for Petunias

Cold tolerant annuals

Tooling around town, I noticed quite a few gardens with salvia, begonias and marigolds lining walkways and garden beds.  It makes me exceptionally angry that growers encourage homeowners to purchase tender annuals long before the final frost of the year.  Gardening is a continual education process.  Many people simply don't realize that annuals cannot withstand the cool soil temperatures and frost of the Maryland spring.

With that said, let's look at a list of annuals that can tolerate cool weather to provide some spring color in the garden.  These plants probably won't survive the summer without some assistance provided by you.  But if you're chomping at the bit to tidy up and beautify the landscape, give these plants a try.

Pansies offer an array of colors to brighten the spring garden.  These tough little plants just might last through the summer with plenty of water and a slightly cooler location.  For now, plant pansies in a sunny or partial sun site and enjoy the show.  Clip blooms back for arrangements and prune foliage to keep the plant bushy. [Image Credit: Kevin Rosseel, Morguefile]


 

Snapdragons also thrive in cool weather and can add immediate interest to the landscape.  Add a few to the planters on your porch or patio while you wait for the trees to flesh out with foliage.  Snapdragons will last through the summer with regular pruning, plenty of water and regular pruning.  These plants come in an array of solid colors as well as variegated flowers like the pinks/yellow/purple combination shown in the photo.  [Image Credit: Xandert, Moreguefile]

Verbena can tolerate the cooler temperatures of spring.  This trailing plant comes in red, peach, white and salmon to add just the right touch of color to the spring garden. Verbena grows to about 14 inches and is considered a half-hardy annual.  Verbena can be used in the garden and in containers.  Plant verbena in the sun to really see the full production of flowers on this beautiful plant. [Image Credit: mrmac04, Morguefile]


Remember that all annuals benefit from a good turning over of the garden soil.  Add peat moss to the mixture as you loosen the top 8 inches of soil with a shovel.  Cultivation allows annual roots to spread easily through the soil for better establishment in the garden.

Tips for Making your own Hanging Baskets

Hanging flower baskets add a special touch to a front porch or patio like nothing else can. Trailing vines and flowers overflowing the edges of the basket bring the garden right to the forefront. Purchasing hanging flower baskets from the garden center can be quite expensive. Not only are you paying for the cost of the flowers but also the cost of the container as well. It's so easy and enjoyable to make your own hanging baskets that once you do it, you'll never buy a prepared hanging basket again.

Containers

The choices for hanging containers abound for gardeners so decide which suits your outdoor dcor. Make sure the container drains properly to prevent waterlogged roots and dead plants. Punch a few holes in the base of the planter with a screwdriver and hammer to assure drainage. Don't make the holes too large since soil will drain out of the planter base.

Choose sturdy containers made of plastic, preferably those with an attached plastic base that allows drainage. Metal planters lined with coconut fiber provide the perfect hanging basket for creating a beautiful flower display. The coconut fiber keeps the dirt in and allows excess water to drain right out the bottom of the planter. Any container is acceptable as long as the plants have adequate drainage. If you simply can't put a hole in the hanging planter, add a 2-inch layer of rocks to the bottom of the planter to aid drainage.