More Information
Container gardens are a great way to have fun and be creative with annuals and bedding plants. Your chances of success are also increased with the many specialised potting mixes, fertilisers and pots on the market, helping you overcome the local environmental conditions.
Annuals are often heavily used in garden competitions. A page has been set up on this site to post information about garden competitions in Queensland as it comes to hand:
Garden Competitions
With seed you can get a lot of plants very cheaply. Seed is the most successful and practical way to grow many of the more robust annuals. For the busy or inexperienced gardener, punnets are generally much easier and faster, especially for some of the more delicate species, and not much more expensive if you only need a few plants anyway.
Many traditional annuals are only suitable for the cooler months of the year here in Qld. Look out for new types, heat and drought tolerant varieties, and perennial or semi-perennial species (even if you only grow them as annuals) for a prolonged display.
Large quantities of plants can be raised more cheaply from seed, but requires more time and effort and a certain amount of skill. Seed might be the only way to obtain unusual or heritage varieties (this goes for herbs and vegetable, too). Mail order suppliers are usually the best places to look for unusual varieties. However, many chain stores offer popular lines in packets which are reasonably priced and ideal for beginners.
If you require very large quanitities for a special application (e.g. Garden weddings), whether as seedlings or at blooming stage, you may find it worthwhile ordering from a wholesale grower. Be sure to organise your order in plenty of time.
More Links
These groups are covered on separate pages:
The following are for general information, research and ideas - some species or cultivars referred to in links may be unavailable in Australia or unsuitable for Queensland conditions
General
Amaranthus
Various members of this genus are very decorative and cope well with heat. Some types of Amaranth are also grown as vegetables (see
Vegetables for more on that topic) or grain.
Celosia
Cockscomb, Celosia Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Gaillardia
Lisianthus
Marigolds
NB: The following refers to cultivars of Tagetes, which are easy to grow in hot climates. The common name "marigold" is also applied to the genus Calendula, which is popular in cooler climates.
Marigold Clemson University, South Carolina
Pansies and Violas
Pansy Care University of North Carolina Wilmingtom
Pansies Missouri Environment and Garden, University of Missouri
Petunias
Petunias NebGuide from University of Nebraska
"Spreading" Petunias in Ornamental Horticulture Monthly Newsletter, Volume 3 No. 1, February 2000. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
Sweet peas
Lathyrus odoratus (PDF) at the Australian Weeds and Livestock website, NSW (discusses toxicity of weeds and other plants to animals)
Torenia
Zinnias
Others
Kale Ornamantal Kale (
Brassica oleracea) Washington State University
Pink Periwinkle (
Catharanthus roseus) At "Grow me Instead", a website about invasive ornamentals and alternatives
Vinca Madagascar Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle,
Catharanthus roseus. Home Gardening Flower Growing Guides, Cornell University
Sunflowers Washington State University Clark County Extension
Santolina Encyclopedia of Stanford Trees, Shrubs & Vines (PDF)
More to come in future updates
