Image by Tim Kennelty

Learn about annuals and perennials with a deeper dive into Lantana and Hellebore.

Episode 171: Flower Power Retrospective (Part 1)

Welcome to another Retrospective series consisting of previously aired short segments on similar topics packaged together for easier listening. This retrospective is called Flower Power which is all about how to select, grow and care for a wide range of flowers. Master Gardener Volunteer, Linda Levitt provides lots of practical tips on how to best select, plant, and care for a wide range of flowers.

The first segment focuses on the difference between Annuals, Perennials, and Biennials. Annual plants complete their life cycle, from germination to seed production, in a single growing season and then they die. They tend to have numerous and continuous blooms from spring or early summer until frost and devote more energy to see production than roots when compared to perennials. Some well known annuals include: pansies, marigolds, lantana, super bells, garden mums, Zinnias, alyssum, and nasturtium. Annuals are a great way to experiment. maintain constant color, and refresh your garden year after year. By contrast, perennial plants regrow every spring, but have a shorter blooming period. By contrast, perennial plants will continue to grow each year. Only the top portion of the plant dies annually in the fall, maintaining their growing root system allowing reblooming in the spring. These plants tend not to bloom the first year of their life. Typically a perennial plant has a root system that spreads outwards and deep and will benefit from being divided after a couple of years. Perennials should last at least three years. They have a shorter bloom time than annuals so think about pairing different perennials that bloom at different times during the growing season. And pairing with some annuals for constant color. Perennials can be planted from bulb, seed or plant. Some commonly known perennials are coral bells, purple, coneflower, daffodils, bleeding, heart and daylilies. A biennial plant completes its growth cycle in two seasons but does not bloom until the second year. It drops its seeds after blooming and in two years, you should have new blooms. Some well known examples of biennial plants are poppies, sweet William and foxglove.

In the next segment, Linda talks about the beautiful and versatile Lantana plant. This is an easy care, versatile, and colorful plant that is known for its long bloom season, from late spring to first frost. There are about 150 species within the Verbena family. The plant is considered an annual plant in colder climates and a perennial plant in more tropical environments. Lantana can propagate from seed or stem cuttings and should be planted at least two weeks after the danger of frost. It thrives in hot dry spots, and in all soil types that are well drained, as long as it has enough water to get established. Lantana blooms best in full sun. As an annual it can grow three to four feet tall and one to three feet wide in just one season. Some species can grow upright and tall providing great color in your garden or then can trail, spilling over in a hanging basket or container. The tiny flowers appear in clusters called umbels that are one to two inches across in colors that range from vivid reds and oranges to muted shades of coral, pink and peach and they don't have to be deadheaded. This plant is continuously blooming with foliage that is dark green or variegated, rough, textured and oval in shape. The plants attract pollinators, butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Some plants to consider using as companion plants include Angelonia, Pentas, sun-loving Coleus, Superbells, Petunias and Salvia. They all have similar growing conditions and will do so well with Lantana. In summary, theyare beautiful, colorful, ever-blooming plants that require little or no maintenance when planted in the right conditions.

This episode concludes with another short segment covering the hellebore, which is called the 'harbinger of spring'. It provides nectar for emerging pollinators when there are so few nectar sources available. Some of the plants are well-known by the names Winter Rose, Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose, but they have no relation to the rose family. These plants are surprisingly frost resistant and some are even evergreen, keeping their color during the winter. Many species are toxic to animals and tend to be deer resistant. They thrive in partial shade, especially at the woodland edge. They will grow in dense shade but may not produce many flowers. However, they have been known to adapt to more light if necessary. Limda recommends that you plant hellebores in moist well-draining soil that has been supplemented with compost. They prefer soil rich in organic material and they will thrive if you plant them under trees, but note that Hellebores do not like hot summer sun. Plant in the spring or early fall as long as the ground is frost free. Once established, the plant will grow about 18 inches high with flowers that consist of five large petals, which are actually sepals, that form to protect the reproductive parts of the plant. For most species, the flowers are drooping and falling downward, so a woodland slope would be an ideal location. Some varieties however, have been bred with upright flowers and are used in spring bouquets. After a few years, a mature plant in the right conditions can produce 50 or more flowers. You should mulch every year in the fall and do allow fallen leaves to act as natural mulch and soil conditioner. Hellebores are hardy, long-loved perennials that if grown in ideal conditions will naturalize and spread. They are tough, cold hardy, deer or rabbit resistant and easy to grow, providing the possibility of evergreen foliage for year round interest.

Host: Jean Thomas

Guest: Linda Levitt

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas