By Kathy Esfahani
We are lucky that the Northeast Florida climate allows us to enjoy flowers blooming all year long! Many flowers are especially suited to the cooler months of winter in our area. Look for these flowers as you add color to your landscape beds and planters:
- Pansies are low-maintenance annuals that feature flowers in various combinations of blues, yellows and whites. Their large blooms are made of five heart-shaped petals, four facing upward and the fifth turned downward. Pansies are a type of viola, cultivated as hybrids. Make sure your pansies get at least six hours of sun per day, keep the soil moist and remove old blooms — these plants will reward you with beautiful color through the winter and into the early spring.
- Violas are closely related to pansies and also feature blooms of five petals. However, Viola blooms are smaller than Pansy flowers and have two petals pointing up, three facing down. These annuals produce flowers in purples, blues, yellows and whites. Like pansies, violas prefer full to partial sun and moist, but well-drained soil.
- Dianthus flowers come in pinks, purples and whites and have delicate blooms with fringed edges. They grow well in areas of full sun but can tolerate partial shade. When grown organically, dianthus flowers are edible for humans and often used as culinary garnishes. These plants are deer-resistant but may be eaten by rabbits. Use dianthus as borders or splashes of color in garden beds or planters.
- Alyssum means “worth beyond beauty” or “sweetness of the soul.” These annuals produce abundant small blooms known for their sweet honey scent. Alyssum flowers are available in white, yellow, pink and purple. Although they prefer full sun, alyssums can tolerate small amounts of shade.
- Dusty Miller is a flowering shrub with soft, silvery leaves that stand out against darker foliage in a garden. They can sometimes last more than one season but may need cutting back between growth. These plants are also known as “silver ragwort” or “silver dust.” The “fuzzy” texture of the leaves helps the plant retain moisture and, therefore, tolerate drier conditions. Although known for the silver leaves, Dusty Miller also produces clusters of small, yellow blooms. Add these plants to your garden as borders, dotted in rock gardens, or grouped together to contrast plants with brightly colored flowers.
- Petunias are easy to grow with lots of light and well-drained soil. Be sure to water regularly but avoid too much water as it can negatively affect the roots. Petunia plants produce large blooms in a variety of vibrant colors. These annuals are perfect for adding color to a garden bed or draping from planters or hanging baskets.
- Snapdragons prefer cooler temperatures and are, therefore, a wonderful winter annual. Named for the snout-like appearance of their blooms, snapdragons are available in white, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple. Children and adults alike cannot help but squeeze the sides of these blooms to see the “jaws” open and shut! Include snapdragons in gardens and planters for a variety of bright colors.
Visit us at the nursery to choose some of these vivid seasonal selections for your landscape. Happy planting!
Flower of the Week: Pansy
Please email Kathy at kcg.pvr@gmail.com for any questions or gardening tips you would like to see in the future. For more information & ideas, visit Kathy’s Creative Gardens & Nursery, 196 N. Roscoe Blvd. The phone number is 904-655-7373.
