© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Cool Season Annuals for Houston By Angela Chandler

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Our “first” season In a majority of the Gulf Coast, fall should be considered our most important growing season –Mild winters –More chance of consistent moisture –Sun angle less harsh – even at midday –Many plants considered to be perennials in most of the country can be grown as annuals here from Oct – April Some are coveted beauties such as Delphiniums, English Daisies, and Poppies

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Annuals for Houston Includes true annuals and perennials ‘grown as annuals’ –Some are perennial in other areas of the country but will not tolerate year-round Houston conditions Timing is critical for good results –Some can become perennial if specific conditions are met –All can be grown as annuals in most normal fall and winter conditions

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Where can I find these plants? Local nurseries –Few will be available – it’s just not practical for them –Might not be available at the right time –Might be past peak bloom opportunity Seed companies and bulb companies –Obtain catalogs early Seeds to be sown directly or bulbs for fall planting - order to be shipped before early October DIY transplants – order seeds to be shipped by early July

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Preparation is a must Annuals and perennials grown as annuals will require: –A very well prepared bed Loose, well drained –Higher than normal nutrient level Compost, time release fertilizer Will do best if bed is prepared at least two- weeks before planting The majority of these plants can be direct seeded, making this a VERY economical effort

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Cool Weather Annuals Plant October through January Includes: –True annuals –Perennials grown as annuals –Bulbs that prefer cooler climates and do not naturalize dependably in our area Some require specific cultural techniques for best results – such as pre-chilling

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Lobularia maritima Sweet Alyssum

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Eustoma grandiflorum Lisianthus or Bluebells At right is our native Texas Bluebell

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Bellis perennis English Daisy

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Brassica oleracea Ornamental Cabbage & Kale

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Brassica oleracea Ornamental Cabbage & Kale

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Calendula officinalis Pot Marigold

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Chrysanthemum hybrids Mums

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Ox-eye Daisy

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Senecio cineraria Dusty Miller

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Senecio cineraria Dusty Miller

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Cyclamen persicum Cyclamen

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Delphinium elatum Delphinium The Delphiniums below were grown at Mercer Arboretum in their fall garden – we have always been told we could not grow them here, but the trick is to grow them in our “first” season – FALL!!

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Delphinium grandiflora ‘Dwarf Blue Butterfly’

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Dianthus sp. Pinks Spring Charm Sweet William Telstar Mix

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Digitalis purpurea ‘Foxy’ Foxglove

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Alcea rosea Hollyhocks

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Consolida hybrids Larkspurs

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Linaria hybrids Toadflax

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Linaria hybrids Toadflax With Cardoon at Mercer

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Mimulus hybrids Monkey Flower Viva Mystic Orange

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium Peach Melba Alaska Mix Jewel Mix

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Nicotiana alata Flowering Tobacco Domino MixSensation Mix

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Viola wittrockiana Pansy

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Petunia hybrids Garden Petunia ‘Laura Bush’

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Papaver sp. Poppy

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Primula malachoides Fairy Primrose

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Primula malachoides Fairy Primrose

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Primula obconica German Primrose

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Primula polyantha Polyanthus

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Schizanthus Poor Man’s Orchid

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Antirrhinum majus Snapdragon

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Beta vulgaris Swiss Chard Gorgeous AND edible!

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Lathyrus odoratus Sweet Peas

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Anemone coronaria Windflower

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Narcissus Daffodils Mt. Hood Fortune Cassata

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Iris xiphium Dutch Iris

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Hyacinthus hybrids Garden Hyacinth

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Ranunculus asiaticus Florists Ranunculus

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Tulipa hybrids Tulips Blueberry RippleDarwin Mix

© 2011 Angela Chandler – All Rights Reserved Tulipa clusiana Species Tulips Lady Jane T. clusiana var chrysantha