The seed catalogs are here. This year I started perusing them first looking for new annual flower varieties. I like annuals in our cold climate. They often can be purchased in bloom in garden centers, and with little care, continuously flower until frost. Here are a few that stood out on my first pass through.
Anyone who grows bedding plant impatiens knows that a strain of downy mildew has been devastating the plant. It can kill plants quickly and stay in your soil for years. You certainly can grow the resistant New Guinea impatiens or Sunpatiens, but they don't have that low growing habit of the traditional impatiens. Now there's a new variety that resists the mildew and has ground cover look. 'Bounce Pink Flame' features bright, bicolor, pink flowers on a plant that spreads 24 inches wide.
I love nasturtiums, not just for their bright, cheery flowers, but also for their spicy tasting leaves and blooms. Here's an heirloom variety back on the market. 'Phoenix' was first introduced by Burpee in 1904. It features attractive, split-petaled, bright red and orange flowers.
Another beauty is osteospermum or African daisy. I grew some red varieties last year and they bloomed consistently all summer. 'Blue Eyed Beauty' is a new selection with yellow daisy-like petals with alluring blue eyes. They make great cut flowers.
For a shady spot, this new annual flower is a cross between torenia or clown flower and mimulus or monkey flower. It's called a Torelus. The variety 'Orange Red Orchid,' features 12-to 24-inch tall mounding plants with bright colored, orchid-like flowers that grow well in part sun or shade.
And now for this week's tip, when inventorying left over seeds from last year, do a germination test to see if they're still viable. Wrap 10 to 20 seeds in a moist paper towel and place it in a plastic bag in a warm location. Count how many seeds germinate in a week. If it's less than 70%, buy new seed.
Next week on the Vermont Garden Journal, I'll be talking about growing mushrooms indoors. Until then, I'll be seeing you in the garden.
Broadcast on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 5:57 p.m. and Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 9:35 a.m.
The Vermont Garden Journal with Charlie Nardozzi is made possible by Gardener's Supply, offering environmental solutions for gardens and landscapes. In Burlington, Williston and Gardeners.com.
Resources:
New Flowers from Burpee
New All American Selections Winning Flowers
