Gardening : Fall Annuals Are Gangbusters in Garden : Flowers: While interest in perennials is high, nurseries report their greatest sales volume is in annuals.
When most gardeners across the country are slowing down, here in the Southland we’re accelerating into high gear. Fall is our prime planting time, and cool-climate annuals will provide the most immediate and brightest color for flower gardens and patios.
Despite their obvious value, annuals have fallen from favor among horticulturalists, who now talk primarily of perennials, those plants that persist year after year from herbacious roots.
Yet, nurseries find that their greatest volume of sales remains in annuals. Ron Vanderhoff, district manager of Nurseryland, which operates 27 garden centers in Southern California, says that although interest in perennials is high, the total volume of sales for annuals is four times that of perennials.
On a national scale, annuals “continue to go like gangbusters,” claims Alvi Voigt, professor of agriculture economics at Pennsylvania State University. Voigt, who monitors the plant industry, reports that sales of annuals and bedding plants have quadrupled every decade since 1970.
Perennials exert a stranglehold on garden literature at present, but some authorities wonder if that status might soon change. New York Times garden columnist Allen Lacy comments, “Maybe interest in perennials is about to peak.” And garden expert Barbara Damrosch remarks, “People who thought that perennials were carefree have found out that they’re not. I wouldn’t be surprised if annuals become more important than they are now.”
Annuals--and those flowers we treat as annuals--are still very important to us gardeners who want long-lasting color and immediate effects. In the nurseries at this time you’ll find a few summer extenders, such as petunias, impatiens, multiflora begonias, and asters.
“These plants grow well,” says Jeff Nakasone of Vintage Growers in Bellflower, “so long as the weather stays warm; petunias, in particular, are very good in the high desert areas for fall and winter display.” In other areas, though, the best bets for fall planting are among the following.
Pansy, viola. Most reliable and longest lasting of all cool-climate flowers. Can tolerate some shade. Fertilize well and remove seed pods for continuous bloom (though I’ve seen commercial plantings that continue to bloom, and I’m sure no one is painstakingly removing seed pods). The new variety Roc has sturdier stems to support heavy bloom heads.
Poppy. Iceland poppies provide long-stemmed flowers in heavy initial display; blooming tapers off after first big flush. Colors are largely oranges and yellows, but some nurseries carry a separate pink variety. Orange California poppies, generally considered wildflowers, are now occasionally found in nursery packs.
Nemesia. One of the most rewarding bedding plants for our area. Masses of flowers in red, yellow, orange and rose-pink. Puts on a dazzling display in early spring and then fades out when hot weather arrives. Don’t overwater.
Calendula. Yellow or orange flowers, also called Pot Marigold. Although not so popular today (perhaps because current garden fashion colors are pinks and blues), calendula provides reliable winter color.
Flowering Kale and cabbage. Wonderful foliage plants as accents in pots or beds. Especially useful for fall color. New variety, Peacock, has red or white frilly leaves. Watch for aphids.
Dianthus. Extensive hybridization has resulted in new garden varieties, the most popular of which seems to be the Telstar hybrids. Long-lasting plants with sporadic blooms in reds, whites, pinks.
Primrose. Fairy primrose produces early blooming, small-flowered tresses in red, pink and white. Free-flowering in lightly shaded spots. More spectacular, but for shorter time, are English primroses and obconicas. Be sure not to get the miniature English primroses (four inches high) if you want taller flowers. They’re easily confused.
Cineraria. Gorgeous daisy-like flowers in blue, purple, white, pink, red. Short-lived but spectacular bloom. Seem to be most successful in greenhouses or in pots with lots of TLC.
Stock. Fragrant columnar blooms. Gray- or green-leafed forms. Look for a new 15-inch variety called Pixie Pink.
Snapdragon. Available in dwarf and medium-sized plants. Biggest problem is rust, so keep water off the foliage and spray at the first sign of trouble.
Larkspur. Tall spires in pink, blue and white create English cottage garden look. Plant in masses either in November or February. Be ready with stakes.
Foxglove. Foxy variety is one of finest tall flowers to be grown in Southern California. Plant now or in early spring. Likes ample water and good soil.
