Лучшие летние однолетники: от ангелонии и циннии до космоса и маргариток

Angelonia, aka summer snapdragon, native to Mexico and Central America, thrives in our summer heat and drought. A compost rich and moderately moist well-draining slightly acidic (pH of 5.5-6.3) soil is needed. Bachelor Button, Centaurea cyanus, is native to temperate Europe. At one time young men would inform women they were unattached by placing a flower in their buttonhole. While the custom of wearing boutonnieres is no longer popular, bachelor buttons are easy to grow in full sun for bouquets and vase arrangements. Cosmos have long-lasting vivid colorful flowers that dance in the wind. Their nectar and pollen attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Cosmos are drought tolerant with non-stop extended bloom time. Three common species are C. bipinnatus, C. sulphureus, and C. astrosanguineus. The latter has a chocolate fragrance. Gomphrena, aka globe amaranth, native to Central America, is a heat and drought tolerant annual with white, pink or purple clover-like blooms. They make great indoor fresh or dried arrangements. History records that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew gomphrena in their 18th century gardens. Impatiens balsamni are a contemporary version of old-fashioned balsam from southeastern Asia and an excellent choice for beds, borders. and containers. Ripe seedpods explode when touched, hence the genus name Impatiens. Marigolds are native to Mexico and Central America. They are easy to grow and grow fast in full sun and well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7. The odor of marigolds repels deer and rabbits. The roots of marigolds emit chemicals that suppress harmful soil nematodes. Morning Glories are one of the plants to use when growing and setting a floral clock. Flowers open at 6 a.m. and close by noon. Heavenly blue is an heirloom as is Grandpa Ott’s. The latter has 2-3” royal purple flowers with an iridescent ruby star in the center and a pinkish-white throat and heart-shaped foliage. The vigorous 10-15’ vine climbs fences and trellises and runs along the ground or hangs from baskets and containers. Nigella, aka Love in a Mist, has old-fashioned dainty blossoms that open white with sky blue edges, then deepen to an indigo hue. Flowers hover over fern-like foliage. Flowers are followed by decorative striped seedpods. Petunias originated in South America in the Solanaceae family, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and tobacco. The tubular flowers are visited by many Lepidoptera species, including the hummingbird clearwing moth and white-lined sphinx moth. Tithonia, aka Mexican sunflower, native to tropical Mexico and Central America, is in the Compositae family. Each 3” daisylike blossom has 9-13 bright orange-scarlet ray florets surrounding a center disk of 60-90 yellow florets. Hummingbirds dash to the disks for nectar, as do bees and butterflies. Tithonia is a nectar plant for monarchs during fall migration. Finches consume the seeds. Zinnias, native to Mexico and Central America, are easy to grow and are known for their vibrant colors, low maintenance, and heat and drought tolerance. Fast-growing zinnias shade out weeds. Deadheading encourages fuller and continual flowering. They are the first flower to have been grown on the International Space Station. May your happy garden annuals smile with you all summer long.