Winter-Flowering Annuals
by Dr. Robert Black, Consumer Horticultural Specialist

It's time to get out of the summer doldrums and start thinking about gardening. Get set to go! It's about time to plant winter flowering annuals.

Many of the annual flowers which thrive in northern gardens can be successfully grown in Florida, however, the season at which they are grown is quite different. Most annuals are classified into two groups - cool season annuals and warm season annuals. Florida's cool season is from October to April thus we grow many annuals during the winter which would normally be planted in the spring in northern states. As long as the proper planting time is considered, home gardeners can produce many colorful annuals all winter. Remember, however, the cool season annuals you plant in the fall must be able to endure frost if they are planted outdoors.

Annuals which can be planted in September to October include sweet alyssum, browallia, calendula, candytuft, gaillardia, gypsophila, nasturtium, pansy, petunia, snapdragon, phlox, sweet-pea, ornamental cabbage and viola.

Annuals have numerous uses in the garden. They are probably best displayed in front of shrubbery borders. By choosing annuals of different heights, deep flower borders can be produced. Plant the taller species at the rear and progressively shorter varieties in front. Use colors which blend well and avoid too many varieties having different colors. Beds should be large enough so that flowers can be cut and used to provide winter color indoors. Many low growing annuals make effective edgings for walks and drives and don't forget to use annuals for window boxes and porch gardening.

Annuals can be planted as seeds or obtained as bedding plants which can be transplanted into the garden. Bedding plants are usually available at reasonable prices and offer flowers quicker than growing your own plants from seed.

When buying seeds you get what you pay for. Seeds of named varieties of a specified color are more expensive than color mixtures. The later should not be expected to produce flowers of as high quality as the more expensive seeds. If possible, plant seeds after the rainy season or small seeds may be washed away. The other alternative is to start plants in flats so they can be moved to shelter during rain storms. Some annuals such as nasturtiums and sweet peas should be planted directly where they are to grow because they are difficult to transplant successfully.

Keep a careful watch on young annuals. Their roots are shallow so watering is necessary until they are well established. Pests must also be kept under control.

To produce compact, bushy plants, pinch off the top pair of leaves after seedlings have at least three pairs of leaves. This will produce lateral branches and better quality plants.

Most seed packages contain directions for planting and care of annuals but experience is the best teacher. The gardener who learns how to successfully grow annuals will produce magnificent color in his winter garden. So color it with flowers Florida!