Caladium

    Caladium - please refer to plant caretag for specific variety information

Colours - Richly colored leaves create a tropical feel in gardens.

Flowering period - Grown mainly for foliage from early spring to fall.

Features - Extremely colorful. Leaves are variously variegated with red, rose, salmon, white or green. Leaves are 6" to 18" long.

Spacing - Plant 12" apart (30 cm)

Height - Grows 1' to 2' erect plant (30-60 cm)

Soil and water - Prefers fertile, well drained, organic soil. Keep moist.

Light requirements - Plant in sun or part sun.

Best use - Excellent for massing in shaded borders. Also container planting.

Growing tips - Requires abundant water during growing season. Performs poorly in areas of low humidity. Overwinter in dry soil at 64 degrees F. Plant in Spring after danger of frost is past.

Annual definition

An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle, from seed to bloom and back to seed again all in a single growing season.

Planning your garden

For beginners it is important to draw a garden layout plan

• Choose plants suitable for the site (sun vs. shade, soil, etc)

• Arrange plants according to their height

• Arrange according to plant form and texture

• Arrange according to flowering periods for constant blooming

• Arrange in groupings by type and color considerations

Spring annuals - FAQs

Q - Can I plant Impatiens in full sun?
A - Impatiens prefer partial sun to shade.

Q - What is the difference between seed and zonal geranium?
A - Seed geranium is grown from seed, zonal is grown from a cutting.

Q - How often should I water my hanging baskets?
A - Water hanging baskets only when the soil is dry to the touch.

Q - When is the best time to water my plants?
A - Early morning is best, because plants have a chance to soak up the moisture. Watering late in the evening can promote disease in plants.

Q - What is the difference between an annual and a perennial?
A - An Annual goes through its life cycle in one summer, and a perennial will bloom summer after summer.

Q - What is a premium annual?
A - A Premium Annual is a plant grown from a cutting.

Q - When is the best time to plant vegetables?
A - After the last heavy frost, usually after Mothers Day.

Q - What is the difference between sun impatiens and regular impatiens?
A - Sun impatiens is commonly known as new guinea impatiens and will generally tolerate more sunny locations.

Q - I love to plant annuals but I hate to pull weeds, what can I do?
A - By using landscape fabrics and/or mulches you can help to prevent weeds from growing up in your garden.

Q - How much fertilizer should I use to make my flower beds look good?
A - Different plants need different fertilizers, fertilizing once every 2 weeks will promote strong healthy plant growth. Too much fertilizer can be bad.

Q - How far apart should I plant my annuals?
A - Consult the plant care tag, this will give you an idea of the height of the plant. A general rule is to plant them 1/2 to 2/3 the height of the plant.