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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