E-newsletter
Annual Flowers and Foliage
Enter our award winning greenhouses and let your senses be overwhelmed with colour and scents! Our 5 Annual greenhouses are packed full with a huge range of new and exciting annual plants for 2008. All plants are grown on the farm - we do not buy in and resell, even when our supplies become low. Katie takes much pride in variety selection, researching and growing plants that are top performers, including many hard to find and unique varieties. Come see for yourself!
Bedding Plants
Choose from over 50 varieties in a range of colours grown in jumbo sized deep 6 packs. All the popular items including Petunias, Marigolds, Impatiens and more. Also many stunning lesser known varieties such as Nasturtium, Scented Stocks and Mimulus.
A couple of ‘must haves’ for 2009:
Dwarf Snapdragon Montego Mix: A gorgeous mix of colours. These branching, low growing Snapdragons will add a snap of cheer to any garden.
Portulaca Sundial Series: Choose from 8 bright colours which will quickly spread and form a low growing mat. Do best in poor soil and hot sun! Great for the kids to try too!
Katie’s Specialty Annuals
A Flower Farm exclusive and new for 2009!! A unique collection of specialty annuals, each variety grown in an appealing ‘basket pack’. This collection includes over 40 hard to find old fashioned Cottage Garden varieties. Most plants are suitable for cutting and / or drying and many are scented and may well remind you of your Grandmother’s garden. All are unusual, very easy to grow and a stunning addition to any garden. Choose from Love Lies Bleeding, Calendula, Phlox, Zinnias and many more. A fantastic gift for a keen gardener!
A couple of ‘must haves’ for 2009:
Rudbeckia Indian Summer: Tall, wind tolerant plants produce huge, golden yellow Daisy flowers all summer long. Very easy and rewarding to grow.
Gomphrena Mix: A mix of bright clover like flowers that spread rapidly in full sun. When we grew cut flowers in our fields, Gomphrena was one of our most popular flowers. Excellent for fresh cut or dried flowers.
Specialty and Premium Flowers & Foliage
OK annual lovers, this is where the real fun begins! One of Katie's passions is to research and grow new and exciting annuals and to encourage customers to try them at home, so our collection of specialty and premium flowers and foliage is extensive. Every summer Katie visits several trial gardens to view and select new varieties, bringing you the newest and the best plants.
We grow over 100 varieties and colours with the selection increasing each year. Look here for hardy and sun loving trailing Verbenas and Scaevolas. Browse the showy Exotic Impatiens and Callas for the shade. Check out a whole range of foliage varieties including striking Sweet Potato vines, colourful Coleus and several Grass varieties. Combine colours and textures to create your own home made planters. We are pleased to be a Proven Winner Certified Garden Centre and carry a good range of these premium plants. For more about Proven Winners visit their website.
A few ‘must haves’ for 2009:
Begonia Dragon Wing Red: This fantastic Begonia is one of Katie’s all time favourites! It thrives in any condition from full sun to full shade and will tolerate wind and heat well. The glossy leaves and bright striking red flowers make it a great addition to any planter, hanging basket or in the ground.
Heliotrope Fragrant Blue: As the name suggests, the fragrance of this plant is just heavenly. The dark blue – purple flowers attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies. Great in full or part sun.
Sweet Potato Vines: Beautiful trailing vines add an exotic touch to hanging baskets and planters. Our collection of Sweet Potato Vines includes a range of colours, from a bright lime green to a dark purple. Easy and prolific to grow.
Newsletter Articles
The following plant information about our Annual Flowers and Foliage is taken from back issues of our E newsletters. If you are not yet signed up to receive our regular e newsletters throughout the season, you can subscribe here.
Argeranthemum Daisy Butterfly
Easy, big colour!
June 2009
You really get a great 'bang for your buck' with this gorgeous rich yellow annual Daisy! Argeranthemum Daisy Butterfly is a large, bushy vigorous plant that will flower continuously all season long. It loves full sun and heat, but will also do well in partial sun. Plants grow approx 24" in height, creating a big colour splash in garden beds. Butterfly also looks fabulous in any large container, such as a half barrel. Try combining with orange Coleus Sedona and Scaevola Whirlwind White for a bright classy orange / yellow mix. Argeranthemum is also available in a light creamy yellow selection - Vanilla Butterfly, with all the same fantastic attributes. Both Butterfly and Vanilla Butterfly are very easy and rewarding to grow, requiring only a bit of deadheading and of course as with all annuals, fertilizer all season.
Heliotrope Fragrant Blue
Attract butterflies and hummingbirds with this gorgeous scented annual!
May 2009
As the name so aptly suggests, the scent of this gorgeous annual is absolutely heavenly! Large clusters of deep purple flowers bloom all summer on bushy, vigorous plants. In the garden, plant Heliotrope Fragrant Blue close to a door, patio or path so you can enjoy their beautiful scent often. They also make stunning centre pieces in containers - try combining with Verbena Lilac Blue and Petunia Blue Wave for a beautiful blue container creation!! Heliotrope Fragrant Blue will thrive in full or part sun and grow 12 - 15" in height. Another big bonus - butterflies and hummingbirds love these flowers too!
Dragon Wing Begonia
Have you experienced the 'Dragon' yet?
May 2009
Dragon Wing Begonias are one of my favourite annuals of all time - everyone needs a Dragon Wing somewhere in their garden! Flowers are either bright red or soft pink, both with a yellow centre and are held above beautiful glossy green 'wing' shaped leaves. The effect is an upright bushy clump with foliage that arches and flowers that hang. The best thing about these Begonias is that they will grow in any light from full sun to full shade. They are not fussy!! If they are grown in full sun, you will find them to be extremely drought and heat tolerant. As with all other annuals, they should be fertilized regularly - if the leaves turn red or start to curl, they need more food. I love the bright red Dragon Wing Begonia, combined with Sweet Potato Vine Lime and yellow Bidens for sun and grey Licorice for shade. Dragon Wing Red and Pink are available in numerous planter and hanging basket combinations and individual 4" pots. Not to be missed!!
Supertunias
Super flower power!
April 2009
Supertunias are really just that - 'Super' Petunias that will grow and bloom non stop all summer! They come in a huge range of colours and are extremely easy to grow, loving sun and heat and requiring no deadheading. In a basket or container they create a beautiful cascading look, while in the ground they will spread to create a carpet of blooms. This season, we are growing 17 colours of trailing Petunias, ranging from purest white to rich, royal purple with 2 fantastic new colours for 2009 - Amethyst (deep violet - pink) and Citrus (soft yellow). For a stunning effect, try combining Supertunia Citrus with Calibrachoa Superbells Tequila Sunrise and Sweet Potato Vine Blackie. Only one thing to note - as these Petunias are heavy feeders, please fertilize regularly with soluble fertilizer or you may end up with a 'straggly' look. Available in hanging baskets, planters and individual 4" pots.
Solenia Begonia
Dark Pink Sun loving Begonia!
June 2008
Do you love the showy Tuberous Begonias, but have too much heat and sun for them? The sun loving Solenia Begonias may be just the plant for you! The photo shows a Dark Pink flower, but they also come in Cherry Red, Light Yellow and Apricot. They love heat and sun and are an excellent choice for containers or in the ground. Flowers are large and showy and foliage a glossy deep green. In containers, try the Solenia Begonia Dark Pink combined with the purple trailing foliage Plectranthus Nico and the light and airy white Euphorbia Diamond Frost. Beautiful and easy!!
Please Fertilize your Annuals!
June 2008
All our planters and hanging baskets grown here have been top dressed with a slow release granular fertilizer, which releases nutrients throughout the summer. This is like insurance for us, if you do not fertilize, we know the plants will be OK. However, for best results, please remember to fertilize your annuals with a soluble fertilizer such as Proven winners or Miracle Grow at least twice a week, or even more often. Many customers prefer to fertilize every day, then they are less likely to forget. You cannot overdo it! If you have planted your own containers, they also will benefit from a one time top dressing with a slow release granular fertilizer and then regular applications of soluble fertilizer throughout the season. You will be amazed with the results of fertilizing and your plants should remain healthy well into the fall.
Kong Coleus
The King of Colour!
June 2008
If you have never grown the fantastic Kong Coleus, now is your chance! We have a good selection of colours still available to choose from. This shade loving Coleus has huge leaves and grows 18 - 24" in height and width. The sheer size of the leaves and plant, combined with the eye catching foliage colours make this plant a real showstopper! I think they look great in containers by themselves, where they can be truly appreciated.
Available in:
- Mosaic (wrinkled leaves in red, green and cream - no two leaves alike)
- Red (rich red and green)
- Rose (lime green edge and vibrant rose centre)
Begonia Baby Wing White
Great in sun or shade
May 2008
We have grown the versatile and showy Begonia Baby Wing Pink for several years, but this year it is available in White. Baby Wing White features small bright white flowers with yellow centres. It blends beautifully with other yellow flowers such as Bidens. The leaves are glossy green and the plant has a mounding habit (great as a 'filler' in containers - see Katies Tips on Amazing Containers). The best feature of this Begonia is that it is not fussy about light conditions and will perform amazingly in both sun and shade. Baby Wing White is available in various hanging baskets, planters and in individual pots. Blend with yellow Bidens and Sweet Potato Vine Lime for a stunning and easy container.
Talinum Limon
Brand New Annual for 2008!
May 2008
Katie spotted this stunning annual in grower trials last summer and just had to have it! We are so impressed with this plant! Vibrant foliage is lime green and tiny airy flowers are bright pink, creating an airy, wispy effect. The flowers form beautiful tiny berries and stay gorgeous all summer. No deadheading required. The plant has an upright habit, growing about 2 feet tall and does well in full or partial sun. Try in the centre of a planter with yellow Bidens and blue Superbells or Petunia. Very unique!
Calibrachoa Superbells
Stunning colours, easy to grow
March 2008
Calibrachoas or 'Superbells' are our best selling annuals. They cannot be beaten for stunning, all season colour. The small Petunia like flowers are showy, require no deadheading and love the heat. They are excellent in hanging baskets as they have a semi cascading habit, but are equally showy in planters and the garden. Our range of colours increases every year - for 2008 we have selected 14 colours including 4 new selections: Apricot Punch (golden apricot), Cherry Red, Yellow and Katie's favourite, Dreamsicle (shimmery, vibrant orange) - shown in the photo with Katie! We grow Superbells in various hanging Baskets, planters and in individual pots.
Fantastic Foliage
June 2007
Coleus is one of my favourite annuals to use both in planters and the garden. It is so easy to grow, creating a colourful bushy mound of foliage that gets bigger and better as the season goes on. There are varieties for sun or shade, but many types grow well in either, making this plant very versatile. I often use them in the centre of a planter instead of the common Draceana Spike and then tie in the flowering plants with the colour of Coleus. They will benefit from a regular pinching of the growing point and will grow even fuller as a result. There are so many varieties, in such a range of colours and heights that you can be sure to find one to suit. We still have a good selection of Coleus including dark purple Dark Star, butter yellow and pink Amora (shown in photo), red / green toned Alabama and the huge striking Kong selections.
Summer Snapdragon
May 2007
We have been growing the annual Angelonia now for several years, but it often gets passed by in the early spring rush in the greenhouses as it is not in full bloom until now. Angelonia is an upright bushy annual with airy mini Snapdragon flower spikes. It looks dainty and fragile but it is extremely heat tolerant and tough, requiring no dead heading and minimum of attention. We grow 2 gorgeous colours - Deep Plum and Lavender. Excellent in containers or in the garden.
Cleome Senorita Rosalita
New for 2007!
May 2007
This brand new annual Cleome is not to be missed! We have given it pride of place right at the front of our main greenhouse. It is absolutely stunning! Bushy, tall plants grow 2 - 3 feet and are covered all over with vivid pink blooms. Senorita Rosalita is an extremely vigorous grower, flowering all summer and loving the heat. It is also reportedly deer proof, good news for us country gardeners. Brand new release in North America for 2007!
Vigorous Growers
Love the Heat!
April 2007
Verbena are easy annuals that come in a range of striking colours. They make full and bright hanging baskets or form a fast growing ground cover in the garden. This year we are growing 8 colours, with 3 new selections:
- Coral (coral - pink with white eye)
- Deep Red - shown in photo
- White
Euphorbia Diamond Frost
A Just About Perfect Annual
April 2007
We first grew this amazing new annual Euphorbia last year and we and anyone who bought it loved it! Clouds of airy white blooms just keep on coming well into fall, requiring no dead heading. Diamond Frost loves full sun and has exceptional heat and drought tolerance. Don't worry, we have grown heaps more this year, in planters, hanging baskets and individual pots. Not to be missed!
PS Don't forget about our Container Planting Service.
Calibrachoa Superbells
Stunning Colours, Easy to Grow
March 2007
We have grown these amazing annual plants for years, but each year the colours and plant performance improve as the breeding and selection process continues. Superbells are showy, require no dead heading and love heat. They are excellent in hanging baskets as they have a semi cascading habit, but are equally showy in planters and the garden. This year we are growing 10 colours, including 3 new selections: Coral (orange - pink), Tickled Pink (soft pink, with plum centre, shown in photo) and White. The only hard part about growing these beauties is choosing the colour!!
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