Annuals

Sweet Caroline variety of sweet potato vineWe're all used to the lime green and black versions of sweet potato vines, but some new choices are now available. To read about them, click here.

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Ornamental sweet potatoes rule! I just returned from speaking to a group, called Pascagoula Pride, that takes city beautification seriously. As I drove through town, I could not help but admire their effective use of the lime green ornamental sweet potatoes.
Much of the country has already experienced killing frost, but along the Gulf Coast, winter is still held at bay. Regardless of where you live, everyone should consider using the ornamental sweet potato in next spring’s plantings.

I thought this would be easy to find on the internet but not so.
Are Rex and Angel Wing Begonias the tuberous kind? In other words can I attempt to dig and store them inside for the winter?

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Pansies are great in spring and fall, but the question is always asked, “What do I plant with them?”
One of my favorites to partner with pansies is sweet alyssum. No matter where you live in the country, at some time during the year you can grow both pansies and alyssum together for a magnificent olfactory experience.
I have always wondered why this little tiger of a plant has not found more favor in the garden. New varieties like the Clear Crystal series have made this plant even more of a must-have in the cool-season garden.

From Mike:

I am trying to find a white violet plant in KC, but am not having any luck.

Any idea where I can purchase one?

Fireworks gomphrenaA new gomphrena will debut next spring and it will be worth a look. It's already getting rave reviews. To read more, click here. Photo thanks to burpee.com. - Craig

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
“Simply unbelievable” is how I would describe the new Fireworks gomphrena. Gomphrena, sometimes called globe amaranth or bachelor’s button, is already considered a tough plant and you would think it would be hard to improve on it, but Fireworks is like none other.

Snow Princess alyssumIf you're like me, you fear your alyssum wilting in the kind of heat that will hit today. There's a new variety that will be available next year that could prove hardier. To read more, click here. Photo thanks to sunset.com. - Craig

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Gardeners can rejoice because we will have two great new choices for yellow zinnias in the landscape.
The Profusion series of zinnias has colors like Fire, Cherry, Orange and Deep Apricot, but it still lacks yellow for another year. This year gardeners celebrated the appearance of the Zahara series with scarlet and the much-anticipated yellow. Of course there are white zinnias in both series, but we all longed for yellow.

SunflowerFrom blogger Sue Waltemath:

The hot winds and lack of rain in mid to late summer can take a toll on some plants. The mighty sunflower thrives in intollerable heat. Pictured is an annual sunflower that has reseeded in my garden, sorry I don't know the cultivar. There are many varieties of sunflowers. Check out helianthus, heliopsis, rudbeckia and echinacea at the nursery. Google 'Grow Native' to access the Missouri Native plant listings. Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum' is a good performer and is just

Sun roseNo one could come up with the mystery plant that Beth has -- see the post below. But last night Beth found the answer herself. It's Aptenia cordifolia, or sun rose. Here's a photo from plantoftheweek.org. - Craig

SunpatiensHave you tried the Sunpatiens series of New Guinea-type impatiens? To read an article about how they look great, even in our heat, click here. Photo thanks to dallasplanttrials.org. -- Craig

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
After three years, I am hooked on the New Guinea-type impatiens series called SunPatiens. Summer heat can make gardening a real struggle. But every day, as I return home from work I see the Sunpatiens near my front door putting on a dazzling show.
When the SunPatiens came out, I was skeptical of how well they would perform in heat. New Guinea impatiens have not been the best performers in sun or filtered light. But I remember touching their leaves and flowers at the trials in California, and I could then tell they were something special.

Caliente lavendar geraniumHere's a great type of ivy geranium that's now available. To read about more, click here. Photo thanks to naturehills.com. - Craig

By Norman Winter
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Many of us who live in summer’s torrid heat have wished for geraniums with blooms as tough as our summers, and we finally have Caliente and Calliope to make life more enjoyable.
Each year when I visit the big flower trials in California, I drive from San Diego to San Jose. I get green with envy seeing the ivy geraniums growing almost like weeds along the more than 700 miles I travel between these cities.

Wornall House herb gardenFrom blogger Judy Aull:

We are well into the growing season now and the herb garden at the John Wornall House is busting out all over with the shiny green foliage of the sweet basil, the sweet fragrances of the mints and scented geraniums and the delicate beauty of rosemary, lavender and ladies’ mantle.

Every Monday morning, if weather allows, a dedicated group of

I love Alyssum, but something always happens after potting. The flowers disappear and it appears they are almost dried up on the ends. Should I trim the stems back or what happens? Also, maybe one looks this way and another plant in the same pot may still have a few flowers? Suggestions?

Do slugs cause budding flowers to not open? I have some dianthus in a container garden that were planted just 2 weeks ago, were doing fine, and now seem to be struggling -- many buds but not opening, or drying up while trying to open. A slug was climbing around last night, but don't know if that's the problem.

A great containerContainers can add great color all summer to your garden, deck and patio -- if you treat them right. This week Dennis Patton offers some tips on successful container gardening. Just click here. -- Craig

What product can I use to help my geraniums bloom? They have stopped blooming.