All America Selections for Cottage Gardens


© Barbara M. Martin

Looking over the All America Selections announcement for 2003, it seems there are several flowering plants of particular interest to cottage gardeners.

I like the Agastache "Golden Jubilee" with its long blooming period,lime green foliage, minty aroma (the fragrance is in the foliage) and easy growing temperament. Agastache has done well in my garden in the past, so I have high hopes for this one. The foliage color may be a bit "modern" or glaring, but it also blends right in with the rest of the riot of color in a cottage garden and simply adds to the tapestry.

The Carnation "Can Can Scarlet" is another fragrant dianthus to add to the cottage garden repertoire, this time scenting the air with its lovely double but yet still old-fashioned style blooms. Carnation Can Can Scarlet

Spice and clove are heady scents to mingle with the other, sweeter scents we more often find in the garden. The healthy and humidity tolerant blue-gray foliage provides additional textural interest in the garden as well.

In contrast, the Dianthus "Corona Cherry Magic" is a bit of an eye popper, maybe too much the obvious modern hybrid for those cottage gardeners who prefer the old fashioned flowers -- these are three inches across and to my eye, garish as all get out. On the other hand, if you like the look, go for it!

Eustoma "Forever White" is a lovely romantic-looking thing with hybrid-derived bigger flower size; and eustoma makes a good cut flower as well. However, unless your growing season is long and hot it may not do all that well in your garden so be advised.

Another heat and sun lover with excellent drought tolerance is Gaillardia "Sundance Bicolor." This one is an annual version of the perennial we know and love for hot sunny well drained sites. Sundance Bicolor is fully double with that darker mahogany red and yellow combination, a somewhat difficult coloring to blend into a pastel-based planting but great for those of us who do the kaleidoscope thing.

Vinca "Jaio Dark Red" may or may not be "the best red yet in Vinca" as reportedly described by one of the AAS judges, but the two inch blooms have a cheerful white eye in the center and a new vinca is always a great addition to our repertoire for container plantings. It too is a heat and sun lover, so keep that in mind when selecting its location.

       

Go To Page: 1 2 3


The copyright of the article All America Selections for Cottage Gardens in Cottage Garden is owned by . Permission to republish All America Selections for Cottage Gardens in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo


Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

7.   Jan 2, 2003 12:25 PM
In response to message posted by Cottage_Garden:

Hi Barbera,
yes they grow very well here in our climate.
Hope they do well ...


-- posted by Ixia


6.   Jan 2, 2003 8:07 AM
In response to message posted by Cottage_Garden:

If it happens, Barbara, I will post it all over the place - with Bill, you, ...


-- posted by Gay_Klok


5.   Jan 2, 2003 5:28 AM
In response to message posted by Gay_Klok:

Gay I am not certain this flower is quite as primrose-yellow as I'd like, it may b ...


-- posted by Cottage_Garden


4.   Jan 2, 2003 5:24 AM
In response to message posted by Ixia:

Hi Bill! Thanks for the good wishes. I hope 2003 is good to you -- and your garden, to ...


-- posted by Cottage_Garden


3.   Jan 1, 2003 1:55 AM
In response to message posted by Cottage_Garden:

Barbera,
those Rudbeckias are certainly worth a try - very beautiful flower ...


-- posted by Ixia





For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Barbara M. Martin's Cottage Garden topic, please visit the Discussions page.