Thirty years ago most annuals were planted in lines with the lowest growing in front, the tallest in the back and all others stair-stepped in the middle. Although these bands of color are pretty, garden design has changed and now many people want a looser, more natural look for their gardens. We still want the flower power that annuals provide, mind you…but there is interest in having a less linear, formal appearance. There is no wrong or right here. Nowhere is “to each his own” (or her own) more appropriate than in the garden. But as you plan your plantings for the coming season, consider these looks.
These annuals (red fountain grass, gomphrena, and Catharanthus, aka annual vinca) have been planted in the traditional stair-step bedding scheme.
Here is my Annual Alley a few years back. This particular year I planted six-pack annuals. Red salvia, cut-and-come-again zinnias, blue salvia, marigolds and Blue Horizon Ageratum on one side with taller dahlias on the other side of the path.
“Fireworks” was my theme this year. Gomphrena ‘Fireworks’ with Frances Hoffman’s marigolds, Blue Horizon Ageratum and King Tut Papyrus.
Last year I tried large yellow marigolds with Profusion Knee High Red zinnias and Blue Horizon Ageratum. There are a few other plants in there as well, but those three predominated by the end of the season.
This lovely field was planted with annual blue salvia, dusty miller, dahlias and Verbena bonariensis. I love how the verbena is see-through so you get glimpses of the other plants.
In my annual alley I have been planting most annuals about twelve to eighteen inches apart. I usually add a few climbing nasturtiums on the edges and these scramble around through the mix and fill the pathway by the end of summer. I haven’t decided what I’m going to grow in this area this year…but I do know that the plants I choose won’t be planted from low to high!
How do you like your annuals planted? Do you lean toward the formal or the field?
