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Grow with KARE: Top 10 annuals for Minnesota's zone 3

This week we are headed north for a list of the best annuals to plant in cabin country.

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Last week we listed the top 10 annuals for zone 4. This week, we are headed a bit farther north to the North Central Research and Outreach Center for a list of the best annuals to plant in cabin country.

Purple is always a big color on the list and this year is no different.

Salvia Rockin'® Deep Purple, Celosia Asian Garden, Tradescantia Proven Accents® Purple Queen and Verbena, Vanity all bring different shades of purple that are sure to wow your containers, hanging baskets and garden beds.

There’s also a touch of purple in Osteospermum, Bright Lights® Sunset that combines with an amazing blend of orange and pink for the sunset effect.

If you like that blended color look, you’ll also find a combo of orange and yellow in the hybrid Petunia, SuperCal® Premium Orange Sunset.

The yellow is pure and bright in Sunflower, Concert Bell.

Red is featured in both Dianthus interspecific, Chiba™ Improved Auricula Mix and Celosia plumosa, Arrabona Red - Bronze Leaf as well as Coleus, Premium Sun Ruby Heart.

As always, these plants are chosen for their uniformity, growth, health/vigor, flower quality and production, insect/disease resistance, and uniqueness. See the full report here.

Salvia, Rockin'® Deep Purple 2023 BY Proven Winners

  • Research notes: A favorite plant in this year's trial! Full & healthy with rich colored foliage & flowers; a pollinator magnet.

Dianthus interspecific, Chiba™ Improved Auricula Mix BY Hem Genetics

  • Research notes: A season favorite with an exciting mix of pink & white blooms; healthy, full growth.

Celosia, Asian Garden BY All America Selections

  • Research notes: Wow! Healthy; full; colorful pink blooms & unique spikey shape.

Sunflower, Concert Bell BY All America Selections

  • Research notes: Reached 5' height; eye‐catching long petals with dark centers; a short display with a fast decline after flowers peaked.

Petunia x hybrida, SuperCal® Premium Orange Sunset BY Sakata Seed

  • Research notes: Large mound of multi‐hued color; held a great shape & profuse flowers all summer with very little effort.

Tradescantia, Proven Accents® Purple Queen BY Proven Winners

  • Research notes: A season favorite with its interesting shape; slow to bloom, but the little pink flowers are so charming on this unique shaped foliage.

Verbena, Vanity BY All America Selections

  • Research notes: Butterflies surrounded these plants for most of the summer; reached a height of 40"; main stalks required staking

Coleus, Premium Sun Ruby Heart BY Pan American

  • Research notes: Looked amazing in a container; good shape; rich colors; very healthy.

Celosia plumosa, Arrabona Red - Bronze Leaf BY Hem Genetics

  • Research notes: Eye-catching; a striking red flower paired with dark burgundy & green foliage; healthy, full growth

Osteospermum, Bright Lights® Sunset BY Proven Winners

  • Research notes: A unique mix of colors on blooms & interesting leaf shapes; lush foliage filled in quickly & held a uniform shape all season.

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