On Gardening/Effective Use Of Summer Annuals

6-16-97
University Park, Pa. -- Annual flowers probably have the greatest color potential of any plant available to the home gardener. However, to have their greatest value they should be used in mass or dense groupings to make the best landscape statement.

The size of the planted bed or area will, of course, depend on the size of your property. Consider some of the following points when using annuals this summer.

The use of one color and one plant species can be used to create a river or long pathway of color. To do this, use large, bright-colored flowers for a dramatic effect. Tall plants such as celosia or zinnia appear informal. Compact, mounded plants like wax begonia or marigold look more formal.

When you use two colors and one species of plant, make certain to choose the colors from the same series to retain the same texture and quality of flower. Color combinations to consider include:

-- Begonias - combine pink, rose, salmon or red blooms on bronze foliage.

-- Marigolds - contrast yellow with orange-red.

-- Petunia or zinnia - violet, lavender or orchid complement pink. Hot pink or rose red go well with white. The star patterns mix well with a similar solid color.

When working with two species of plant and one color, the design looks best where there is contrast in height and texture between the two species.

-- Red - combine nicotiana and star pattern petunia, celosia with begonia or salvia with begonia.

-- Rose - mix zinnias with vinca, begonia, or nocotinia, or combine petunia with nicotiana.

-- White - salvia complements dusty miller very well.

The use of two colors and two plant species allows you to create patterns and numerous geometric designs in the bed. Plants for these purposes should have strict growth habits, and the colors and textures must vary considerable among plants.

Consider combinations like vinca, salvia, petunia, celosia or begonia in scarlet, bright pink, or lavender-purple with dusty miller. Vary the height of the planting with scarlet-red amaranthus, celosia or zinnia combined with bright yellow marigold.

Three colors and three species of plants work very well in free-standing beds or when planted against a building or wall. With this combination it is important to use graduated heights with the tall plants in the background, shorter ones towards the front. In free-standing beds try to position the tallest material farthest away from the viewing point where the bed will be seen.

Attractive combinations include scarlet amaranthus (tall), orange-red or salmon zinnias (medium) and yellow marigolds (short), or cream celosia (tall), salmon salvia or zinnia (medium), and white-with-pink-eyed vinca (short).

With a little attention to mature plant height and flower texture and color it is possible to paint in the garden landscape just an artist paints on canvas.

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**Dr. Nuss is a horticulturist at Penn State. He coordinates all extension horticulture programs. He has bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in ornamental horticulture and has been on the Penn State faculty since 1966.