Agertatum

Likes full sun-except in areas where hot summer sun is an issue....in this case part shade is best. Pinching out tips and removing withered blooms will keep this plant compact and extend it's flowering season. Ageratum comes in several colors, but the color shown is my favorite.
This is an excellent border or edging plant as it is short. Grows to about 6-8 inches tall. Always check the label on this plant, as there is a variety that is not a dwarf. That one will grow to about 2 1/2 feet.
Alyssum

Banana

Calibrachoa
Also known as Million Bells. This plant is appropriately nicknamed as it sports millions of small petunia-like flowers all over its bushy, trailing branches. Calibrachoa likes full sun to part shade, and is easy to care for. excellent in hanging baskets, and is available in many different colors.
Coleus Black Dragon Coleus Salmon Rose
Coleus is a beautiful foliage plant. It can survive in full sun, if kept moist, but prefers light shade. If you left it in the sun, its colorful leaves will not be as dark. It fades in too much sun. Pinch plant back at growing tip to encourage a bushy growth and remove flowers as soon as they are forming. Coleus is also a good house plant. It will grow 8-10 inches tall.
Coleus is a beautiful foliage plant. It can survive in full sun, if kept moist, but prefers light shade. If you left it in the sun, its colorful leaves will not be as dark. It fades in too much sun. Pinch plant back at growing tip to encourage a bushy growth and remove flowers as soon as they are forming. Coleus is also a good house plant. It will grow 8-10 inches tall.
Dahlia

Dahlias can grow from one to eight feet tall. The shorter varieties are fairly compact plants and they are prolific bloomers. They require frequent removal of the spent flowers to keep the plant attractive. This plant will bloom non stop form June until frost. They like full sun to partial shade. Too much shade will cause a leggy appearance to the plant.
Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos Lab Lab)
Also known as Purple Bean Vine

The Purple Bean Vine is a tropical vine that produces blue-green leaves and fragrant purple pea like flowers. This plant is heat tolerant and may be planted against a south wall. I have had better luck with it in a pot and in a lightly shaded area. After this plant blooms the flowers will produce lovely purple pods that resemble peas. Because this is a vine, you will need to provide support for it to climb on. I love using this plant. It is easy to grow, and very showy.
Dusty Miller

This is a very pretty foliage plant. Having it mixed in among your flowers will help make the color of the blooms pop. It grows to about 8 inches tall, and loves full sun. It also makes a great border plant for those beds that have bigger flowers such as geranium or marigold.
Geranium

Just love the bright colors that Geraniums have to offer! They come in lots of colors and grow to about 8-12 inches tall. I grow them in full sun or partial shade. They require some dead heading (removal of spent flowers) to keep them looking nice, but the effort will be well worth it!
Heliotrope

Heliotope is a very pretty plant. The dark green leaves and the beautiful purple flowers are a welcome addition to any garden . The most wonderful characteristic is the smell of the flowers. They smell like vanilla or cherry pie! This plant likes cooler temperatures in full sun or partial shade. It will grow to about 12 inches tall. Pinching back will promote bushier growth. I have to use caution with this plant, as my dog likes the smell and will nibble on it. Heliotrope is poisonous to pets!
Hydrangea

Striking, large balls of white or pink are the most well known characteristics of this plant. Giving them the correct conditions, the blossoms can even turn blue! This plant is a shade lover....never a full sun plant. It loves the cooler conditions that the shade will provide. Deep shade may be too dark. Hydrangea needs to be kept moist at all times, which means vigilant watering. Many of these plants will grow to about 12 inches.
Impatiens

Lavatera

Lavatera is a very pretty addition to your garden. It is a tall plant that should be planted at the back of your bed. It will grow from 1-7 feet tall. Lavatera loves full sun. This plant comes in many colors but the most common is pink.
Lobelia
There are two main types of Lobelia. The small compact type, and the longer trailing variety. Both make excellent edging or border plants and have profusions of small flowers. This plant will come in a variety of colors, so you can choose what ever color will suit your fancy. I love Lobelia for the vibrant colors it has. It grows well in full sun, but blooms will last longer in partial shade . If you plant in full sun....regular watering is a must. The smaller variety will grow to about 6 inches, while the trailing type will grow to about 12 inches

Malva Maritiana

Malva is a beautiful plant for the garden. It Will grow from 1-7 feet. Malva is directly related to the Lavatera that we discussed earlier. Malva is a bushier branching and aggressive flowering gem for any garden. This plant loves full sun, and is very easy to grow. May re-seed itself the following season.
Marigold
Marigolds are one plant that needs no introduction. They come in a variety of colors and types. Marigolds love full sun but will tolerate partial shade. This plant will bloom profusely for the full season. My personal favorite characteristic of this plant is that cats do not really like the smell and therefore will stay away from them. I have also heard that deer do not like them either. They will grow from 8-10 inches tall and make a welcome addition to any border or garden.

Morning Glory

Osteospermum

This lovely plant is a member of the Daisy family. It comes in many different and very bright colors. It will do well in a pot or a bed. It will grow to about 12-18 inches tall. Osteospermum likes full sun and will bloom all season long. Removing the spent blooms will make more blooms appear. This plant is a favorite of mine.

Pansy

Petuni
a



The petunia is an old stand by. It comes in dozens of colors and types. I use the celebrity series for the beds and the wave series for my hanging pots. The celebrity series will grow to about 12 inches tall and very bushy. It will flower over and over again all season long. The wave series will grow from 18 inches to 3 feet long! They are very bushy and full and prolific flowering plants. Petunia prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade. They are easy to grow and care for.
Snap Dragon

Swedish Ivy

Batat/Sweet Potato

Well there you have it! I am sure I missed a few...but this is the main part of my gardens. Have fun choosing your favorites!
See you all back here for Fertilizer Friday!!!
See you all back here for Fertilizer Friday!!!