Tropical Style

10 Popular Species of Garden Flowers

Popular flowers are those that are generally available in seed catalogs and in the nursery, although selection varies from the season. The garden center may be overflowing with geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) in the spring and also with chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) in the autumn in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Configure the bones of the garden with perennials and fill in using lots of color from annuals.

Bulbs

Tulips (Tulipia) and daffodils (Narcissus) show off in spring gardens while lilies (Lilium) follow in the summertime. Bulbs are almost never-fail for your first year. At mild-winter areas — USDA zones 8 through 10 — some bulbs like tulips, daffodils and Asiatic lilies must be cooled for 10 to 12 months or they won’t blossom. Chill in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator. Mark in which the lights are planted so you can dig them for the next season’s chilling.

Annuals

Annuals brighten up the lawn for a single growing season and then bid adieu. Although it may seem like the same plants keep popping up year after year, it’s because some annuals self-seed. Zinnia, marigold, impatiens are 3 popular yearly garden blooms — and with good reason. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) grow easily from seed. The blossoms bloom in red, purple, purple, orange purple and white, oftentimes with over one color splashed over the blooms. Zinnias climb from 6 to 36 inches high. Marigolds’ (Tagetes) bright yellow, gold or burgundy flowers possess a musky odor. The leaves are finely cut. African marigolds (Tagetes erects) climb to 24 inches tall, while French marigolds (Tagetes patula) stay petite in less than 12 inches tall. Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) are created for the colour. The plants grow to ten inches high with brightly coloured blooms the size of a quarter.

Perennials

Perennials are the flowers that keep on giving in the backyard since they come back year after year without replanting. Zonal or garden geraniums escape from window boxes, planters and pots in addition to encompassing birdbaths and fountains and stay hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11. The blossoms bloom in red, pink, white, orange and purple. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) would be the grand dame of perennials in USDA zones 5 through 9. The blossoms may be up to 12 inches across and bloom in white, red, pink purple and yellow. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has spikes of purple flowers held above the slender gray-green leaves. The scent is heavenly. The bushes grow to 24 to 30 inches high in rounded mounds and are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8.

Roses

No perennial garden would be complete without roses (Rosa). New hybrids are more disease resistant and less fussy than older hybrids. Choose from climbing roses clambering up a trellis, tea roses with their elegantly shaped buds and blooms or grandiflora roses that seem to be covered with blossoms when in full blossom. Roses are hardy to USDA zone 4, based on variety, if mulched heavily.

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