City Flowers
by Dr. Robert Black, Consumer Horticultural Specialist

Growing flowering plants in city locations can be difficult. Not only is the temperature extremely hot during the summer but air pollutants are also high. Nowhere else can the beauty and color be appreciated more than in the city.

At least half a dozen flowering annuals or perennials can be grown in the worst city conditions in Florida. Canna, cleome, periwinkle, lantana, impatiens and cosmos can often be found thriving in vacant lots and around buildings in urban areas where practically no other plants will survive. If you're an urban dweller try these plants to brighten the surroundings with masses of color.
 
The canna, or Indian flag, is a tough customer. Hybrids having red, yellow and orange flowers are often used in city parks for masses of color. The sturdy, huge banana-like leaves of green or bronze color rise from underground rhizomes.

Cleome or spider flower enjoys summer heat. They also need a lot of moisture. The plants are from 3 to 4 feet tall and bear terminal clusters of pink, white, or golden flowers. The flower heads are large and showy with new flowers constantly blooming leaving attractive, long, slender seed pods. They begin blooming about two months after seed germination.

Cosmos can provide bright oranges, yellows, reds, pinks and whites for city gardens. They range in height from 2 to 4 feet and can be grown in a more limited area than Cleome. The foliage ranges from delicate and finely cut to heavier textures which resembles that of marigolds.

Crimson, fuchsia, orange, orchid, pink, rose, salmon, scarlet and white are just a few of the colors of impatiens flowers. They also have flowers that are bicolor. The plants will bloom continuously if cared for properly. They prefer shady conditions and will not grow well in full sun. The many different hybrids, single and double, range in height from 10 to 20 inches.

Madagascar periwinkle is an annual in north Florida and a perennial in south Florida. It will tolerate heat, full sun, and, also important, is resistant to pollution. The plants are about 2 feet high and become covered with pink or white flowers.

Trailing or weeping lantana can make a beautiful ground cover or border planting, with small purple or yellow flowers. The more common lantana with flowers in white, yellow, pink and red combinations also survive dry sunny locations.

Although it is possible to grow many plants in most city situations, the plants mentioned will survive some of the most unfavorable environments.