More Garden Annuals

August 1996

Annuals are easy to grow, add a bright spot of color in the garden, and grow well in all parts of Virginia. Following is a list of more garden annuals you may want to try:

• Balsam or Touch-me-not reaches a height of 20 to 28 inches and is best used as a bedding plant. It can be used as a window-garden plant, but will not tolerate wet or cold weather. Plant seed 12 to 14 inches apart in full sun after last frost. Children enjoy the explosive seed pods.

• Coreopsis grows to 18 to 24 inches and is used as a bedding or edging plant or as a source of cut flowers. It blooms quick and lasts all summer. Plant seed 10 to 14 inches apart in sun after last frost.

• Cornflower reaches a height of 16 to 36 inches and is a good, old-fashioned cut flower. Plant seed 12 to 14 inches apart in partial shade in early spring.

• Cosmos grows to 2 to 6 feet tall. It is best used as a screen or bedding, but is also good for cut flowers. Plant seed 10 to 12 inches apart in full sun after last frost.

• Nasturtium grows to 12 inches plus, if semi-climbing, and up to 6 feet, if a climbing type. It is best used as a bedding or edging plant. Nasturtium blooms about one month after sowing and requires well-drained soil, but also does well in window boxes and raised or wall plantings. Plant seed 8 to 12 inches apart in full sun after last frost. Avoid rich soil or overfertilizing as plants will grow lush at the expense of flower production.

• Scabiosa reaches 18 to 36 inches in height and is used as a border plant or for cut flowers. Plant seed 12 to 14 inches apart in sun in spring or summer.

• Scarlet sage grows 14 to 36 inches tall. It is used as a border or bedding plant. Scarlet sage has short varieties that bloom early and tall varieties that bloom late. Plant seed 8 to 12 inches apart in the garden full sun in spring or summer; or for earlier blooming, start seed indoors and transplant outdoors in the spring.

• Stock reaches a height of 24 to 30 inches. Best used as a bedding plant, stock also can be used as a source of fragrant cut flowers or for window gardens. It over-winters in protected areas. Plant seed 6 to 10 inches apart in sun.

• Strawflower grows to a height of 30 to 40 inches. Strawflower is a source of cut flowers that are excellent for drying. Plant seed 10 to 12 inches apart in sun in early spring.

• Sweet alyssum grows 6 to 10 inches in height. It is used as an edging or border plant. Since it is susceptible to damping off, be sure it is grown in well-drained soil. Sweet alyssum is a neat growing plant with a long blooming period. Plant seed 10 to 12 inches apart in sun in early spring. Cut plants back in the summer for reblooming in the fall.

• Sweet pea is a vine that grows 4 to 8 feet long with fragrant, old-fashioned flowers. It's best used as a screen or on a trellis. Plant seed 6 to 8 inches apart in sun in early spring or late summer through fall.

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