Hedyotis is a large genus of mostly low-growing perennials and annuals. Hedyotis michauxii is a species often grown in gardens and as a houseplant. It is a low, creeping plant with sky-blue flowers — four, cross-shaped petals with a creamy yellow center. Other species of Hedyotis have white flowers. Hedyotis prefers warm soil and air temperatures. Hedyotis is weak-stemmed; it creeps through the garden rooting as it goes. The short, slender flower stalks appear in tight clusters or loose short spray. The plant will form a mat of color in spring and summer. Hedyotis belongs to the Rubiaceae fami ..read more

Clarkia–commonly called Godetia–is a Western wildflower adapted to gardens. Godetias put on a showy display of subtle white, lavender, pink, red, and yellow flowers from late spring into summer. The cup-shaped flowers can be single or double. Godetia is a good choice for mixed borders and mass displays and in meadows and wildflower gardens. Sow seed in place in fall in mild winter regions or in spring. Seedlings are difficult to transplant, but volunteers grow very well. Garden Success Products at Amazon: 10 pcs Stainless Steel Garden Hand Tool Set Flexi Hose with 8-inch Nozzle Gorilla Cart 4 ..read more

Cosmos is an old-fashioned favorite that bears clouds of daisylike flowers on long stems above feathery foliage. Cosmos can be started from seed indoors and transplanted into the garden two or three weeks after the last frost in spring. It will bloom from late spring into autumn. Mass cosmos in large bands or groups in flower beds and borders. Grow cosmos in containers. It also is used in meadows and wildflower gardens. Cosmos wants full sun and well-drained soil. Flower Garden Success Products at Amazon: Wildflower Seed Mix Attracts Hummingbirds and Butterflies Eden Brothers All Perennial Se ..read more

Zinnia is a low, bushy annual with oval dark green leaves, and red, yellow, purple, pink, and sometimes green daisy-like flowers from summer to early fall. Zinnias offer masses of color in beds and borders and can be grown in small groups in containers and pots. Zinnias are hot-weather plants. They do best after the weather warms in late spring or early summer. When autumn comes, zinnias can suffer from powdery mildew as nights grow longer and dew sits on plants longer. Most garden zinnia belongs to the species Zinnia elegant. Flower Garden Success Products at Amazon: Wildflower Seed Mix Attr ..read more

Poppy flowers–members of the Papaver genus–are bright additions to the summer garden. Poppy flowers bear solitary or double cup-shaped flowers from 2 to 4 inches (5-10cm) across. Flowers often have a crepe-papery texture. Colors can be white, yellow, pink, red, orange, salmon, and purple. There are annual and perennial poppy flowers. Best known are the Iceland poppy, Oriental poppy, and Flanders poppy, also called Shirley poppy. The Iceland and Oriental poppies are short-lived perennials, often grown as annuals. The Flanders poppy is an annual. (See the list of varieties below for fuller descr ..read more

Veronica, best known as speedwell, is a vigorous, easy-to-grow plant with a rich palette of colors including true blue, violet-blue, pink, and white. Veronica is a group of long-blooming annuals and perennials. Speedwells grow 12 to 36 inches tall depending on the species. They bear colorful 6- to 8-inch spikes of tiny flowers mostly in summer. Veronicas have linear to lance-shaped or rounded leaves. Flower spikes are bottlebrush-like with individual blooms 1/2 inch or less across. Most are upright growers but there are a few species that are low-growing and mat-forming. Good Products for Gard ..read more

Angelica is a herbaceous biennial-perennial plant that is relatively easy to grow. It is a beautiful and versatile herb that can be grown in your garden or in containers. Angelica is a tropical-looking plant native to northern Europe and western Asia. It has divided and toothed bright green leaves that grow two to three feet long. Angelica blooms in early summer when it sends up large umbrella-sized and shaped cluster of greenish-yellow flowers atop 6-foot stems. The flower umbels are folliwed by decorative yellow-green seedpods. Angelica is large, bold, and lush, It makes a striking focal poi ..read more

Vitex is a genus of about 250 mainly subtropical to temperate plants; the best known species are called chaste tree. Vitex are mostly evergreen plants, but some are deciduous when planted in cooler temperate regions. Vitex – chast tree is commonly grown for its sprays of tubular flowers usually lilac, but also blue, pink, or white. Chaste tree – Vitex – can be grown as a small tree or shrub. Plants are trained to be small trees by the pruning of lower branches early in the plant’s life. Chaste trees are often grown as specimens but can also be featured in borders or hedges. Vitex grows best in ..read more

Magnolias are trees or shrubs commonly grown for their magnificient blossoms in white, pink, red, purple, and sometimes yellow. Depending on the species or cultivar they can vary from about 10 feet tall to 80 feet tall and often just as wide. Magnolias appear in varied sizes and shapes. Magnolias include both evergreen and deciduous types. The classic evergreen magnlia is Magnolia grandiflors, the Southern Magnolia. It bears fragrant, giant white flowers with large glossy green leaves. An often planted deciduous magnlia is Magnolia x soulangeana, the saucer magnolia, whose flower can be nearly ..read more

Mimulus–commonly called monkey flower–is a spreading perennial commonly grown as an annual. Mimulus produce dragon-like two-lipped flowers that cover the plant from summer to early fall. Flowers bloom in shades of red, pink, yellow, and orange. Flowers are often spotted with contrasting colors. The Mimulus genus includes about 150 species of annuals, perennials, and shrubs. They are native to damp regions in the Americas as well as Africa, Asia, and Australia. Monkey flowers thrive in boggy soil. Good Products for Garden Care at Amazon: Garden Safe Snail and Slug Bait Bonide Sulfur Fungicide ..read more