Temperatures and falling and so are the leaves. But there is still plenty of time to get in the garden before the first …
make life beautiful
P. Allen Smith’s Cool Colored Picks by Proven Winners
P. Allen Smith has long been admired for his ability to create wonderful spaces, both indoors and out. The gardens and grounds he create are nothing short of amazing. P. Allen Smith and Proven Winners have created a Platinum Collection – A collection of annuals, perennials and shrubs that Allen has grown and tested in his gardens and has grown to love.
Here are a few of Allen’s favorite cool-colored annuals:
Laguna Sky Blue Lobelia
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Butterflies
Soft blue flowers are in bloom all season on these cascading plants. Laguna varieties are compact yet full plants, covered in true blue or white blossoms. They are ideal low maintenance plants for hanging baskets, window boxes, containers, and landscapes. This plant doesn’t like “wet feet.” Allow the soil surface to dry before watering again.
Dark Knight Sweet Alyssum Lobularia
Bloom Time: Planting to Hard Frost
Heat Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Bees and Butterflies
An abundance of fragrant flowers grace this plant. And even in hot climates, it will bloom all summer. It is cold tolerant and heat tolerant. It will be quick to show drought stress, but should bounce back quickly once watered.
Snowstorm Blue Bubbles Bacopa Sutera
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Drought Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary
Double blue flowers, sturdy branches and great summer performance make this a wonderful plant in the garden. To maintain constant bloom, you will either need to monitor the plant closely and water before the soil gets too dry or you could plant this Bacopa with a plant that does wilt (so you know when to re-water!).
Angelface Blue Summer Snapdragon Angelonia
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Heat Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Deer Resistant
Native to North America
This beautiful continuous bloomer is best planted in mid-spring or later, since they won’t really grow until the temperatures warm up. The plants are easy to care for, tolerating wet feet, a fair amount of drought with no deadheading needed. Don’t forget that Angelface are great long lasting cut flowers. Try some in a flower arrangement this year and see for yourself!
Señorita Rosalita Spider Flower Cleome
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Heat Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Birds and Butterflies
The magnificent dark leaves on Señorita Rosalita’s 3-5 feet tall branches are topped by clusters of bright, lavender pink flowers. This heat and drought tolerant plant adds dramatic height to landscape beds, blooming from late spring through fall!
Superbena Royale Chambray Verbena
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Butterflies
Resists: Deer
Native to North America
Superbena Royale Verbenas are vigorous, but will trail over the sides of containers. They will function as both spillers and fillers in combination planters and are best planted at the front of landscape beds. They will bloom earlier in the season and more easily in smaller containers than regular Superbena varieties.
To read our post on P. Allen’s warm-colored picks from Proven Winners, click here.
More Good Advice
Summer is winding down and the cooler days of fall are right around the corner. There is still plenty of time to work in…
Summer continues to roll on, and by August your garden may have taken a hit from the heat. Give your garden a little ext…