Spring
Bedding Color For Shady Locations
Easily add colorful blooms to
your garden in time for spring with a wide
variety of spring blooming annuals. Spring
bedding color can be planted in flower beds,
hanging baskets, clay pots or planter boxes
to add a burst of color to any landscape.
Planting
When planting spring
annuals, to your native soil add a 3-4 inch
layer of Greenworld Mulch and one pound of
Disper-Sul with Iron per 100 square feet to
acidify the soil. Then, spade to a depth of
10 inches. For potted annuals, use
Greenworld B-2 potting mix. This is a
formulated blend of acidified mulch, sand,
soil and major and minor nutrients. Most
spring annuals are sold in 4 inch pots or
color 6-packs. After you have carefully
removed the plant from the container, gently
loosen the roots, place the plant in a hole
and firmly pack soil around the rootball.
Water in thoroughly with a solution of Green
Light Root Stimulator to minimize transplant
shock and promote a vigorous and healthy
root system. For weed control in your annual
beds, apply Amaze, Portrait or Monterey
Surflan 10 days after planting.
Watering
Water thoroughly after
planting. Check plants in three to four days
for additional watering as needed. As they
grow larger, change watering frequency to
once or twice per week. For Vincas and
Celosia, deep watering once a week after
they are established is sufficient. Over
watering will cause root rot and the plant
will look like it needs water but is
actually drowning. Also, as sprinklers can
damage petals, we suggest using a Drip Tape
System. See a Gardener's World Pro for more
information. Add a 1/2-inch top layer of
Greenworld Mulch during the warmer months to
help retain moisture, keep soil cool and
prevent weeds.
Feeding
To maintain vigorous plants
with lots of beautiful flowers, fertilize
regularly with Flower Power. This slow
release fertilizer lasts for 100 days and
should be applied only to the soils surface.
It feeds automatically as you water.
Pests
For insect control, we
recommend Green Light Rose Defense for
complete insect protection of all flowers.
For best control, spray after sundown. Slugs
and snails love plants that grow close to
the ground; use snail bait to protect your
flowers.
Gardener's
World Favorite Varieties
Begonias (Wax)
Small, rounded plants, great
for low borders, mass plantings, containers
and hanging baskets. Green to bronze foliage
is complimented by beautifully contrasting
shades of red, white and pink.
Impatiens
With their splashes of red,
orange, pink, purple, and white, these are
best for mass display. These plants require
plenty of moisture and may need protection
from spider mites. Space the plants 8 to 10
inches apart. Flower production is sensitive
to intense summer heat, watering and
fertilization. Impatiens are most successful
on mounds with Drip Tape watering.
Caladium
Grown for their beautiful
foliage, these warm weather plants will
enhance any shady area. Pink, green white
and red colors are available. White and pink
take some sun.
Coleus
Splash some red, yellow,
pink, white or green into your shady garden
areas with the foliage of these warm weather
annuals. Coleus can be used in flower beds,
hanging baskets and patio containers, as
long as they are planted in moist soils.
They will grow to a height of 1-3 feet.
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