annual

Flossflower is an old-fashioned tender perennial that is widely used as a bedding plant in temperate zones. This Mexican native has a dense, bushy habit and produces many tassel-like flowers or blue, purple, pink or white all season. There are many cultivars, The 'Artist' series is a vegetative series that is more compact and flowers more consistently than seed cultivars. Floss flower usually performs well in full sun. However in hot-summered climates floss flower will need filtered sun. In...

The branching, dwarf flossflowers in the Tycoon Series are compact plants that tend to reflower readily from secondary branches in a range of white, violet-pink or lavender-blue. These tender perennials are widely planted as bedding annuals and will bloom all season long.

These bushy plants have lush, deep green leaves. When temperatures are warm and growing conditions good, they produce airy clusters of button-like flowers with spidery petals that attract bees and butterflies. Deadheading will...

Though most popular as a contemporary garden annual, love-lies-bleeding produces edible seeds that are an ancient staple grain where native in Central and South America. Once more popular than corn, amaranth grain fed the Incas, Aztecs and pre-Columbian peoples. In fact, Amaranthus caudatus still is a vital grain source for people living in the Andes. There are two other species used for grain amaranth, Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus.

The tall,...

Nothing beats this tough, warm season annual for big, bold summer bedding displays. Purple amaranth is an ancient cultivated species that originates from Central and South America. In fact, it is one of the three ancient cultivated amaranth species grown for grain; the other two being Amaranthus hypochondriacus and A. caudatus. Grain amaranth was the staple grain that fed the Incas, Aztecs and pre-Columbian peoples of the region. It was even more popular than corn....

This colorful annual is probably a naturally occurring hybrid which has a center of origin in Central and South America. Prince’s feather is is an ancient cultivated species that originates from Central and South America. In fact, it is one of the three ancient cultivated amaranth species grown for grain; the other two being Amaranthus . cruentus and A. caudatus. Grain amaranth was the staple grain that fed the Incas, Aztecs and pre-Columbian peoples of the region....

Big and showy, annual plant that naturally occurs in tropical areas of the world, amaranthus is usually grown in the garden for its dramatic foliage. Its large leaves are green with irregular deep red blotches along the veins. Many cultivars exist with combinations of green, yellow and red variegated leaves. Joseph's coat performs best in sun with evenly moist, but not wet soils. Originally used as a leafy green in salads, stews or soups, the more modern cultivars are not as tasty and better suited...

A real garden conversation piece, this large, colorful annual originates from tropical areas in Asia and Africa. The cultivar 'Aurora' sports large, colorful leaves; the lower ones a dark green and the upper leaves creamy yellow from mid-summer until frost. The upper leaves are pendulous and hang like crepe paper with a dramatic effect.

Sometimes called Summer poinsettia, Joseph's coat performs best in full sun and average to poor soil with good drainage. Originally used as a leafy green in salads,...

Big and showy, this colorful annual originates from tropical areas in Asia and Africa. The cultivar 'Early Splendor' sports large, colorful leaves; the lower ones a deep bronze-green and the pendulous upper leaves an eye-catching bright crimson from mid-summer until frost.

Sometimes called Summer poinsettia, Joseph's coat performs best in full sun and average to poor soil with good drainage. Originally used as a leafy green in salads, stews or soups, the more modern cultivars are not as tasty...

Big and showy, this annual originates from tropical areas in Asia and Africa and sports an unusual color combination. The heat-loving cultivar 'Illumination' sports large, dramatic leaves; the lower ones a deep green cast with coppery-brown and the upper leaves an eye-catching bright rosy-orange with gold highlights from mid-summer until frost.

Sometimes called Summer poinsettia, Joseph's coat performs best in full sun and average to poor soil with good drainage. Originally used as a leafy green...

Big and showy, this colorful annual originates from tropical areas in Asia and Africa. The cultivar 'Perfecta' sports large, colorful leaves; the lower ones a deep green and the upper leaves with eye-catching red and yellow variegation.

Joseph's coat performs best in full sun and average to poor soil with good drainage. Originally used as a leafy green in salads, stews or soups, the more modern cultivars are not as tasty and better suited to large, sunny borders where they lend a bright tropical...