Enclosed Sitting Garden
An area that is sheltered by a wall or hedge makes an ideal location for a sitting garden.
Ageratum also known as a Floss Flower is a genus of annuals and biennials. Half hardy to frost tender, minus 36 - 9 degrees F. (2-4 C.) Grow in full sun and fertile, well drained soil which should not be allowed to dry out, otherwise, growing and flowering will be poor. Deadhead flowers regulary to ensure continious flowering. Propagate by seed sown outdoors in late spring. Has masses of dusky pink, button like flowers from early summer to frost; oval leaves and has a height and spread of 6 to 8 inches. All Zones.
Snapdragon: perennials and semi-evergreen sub-shrubs, usually grown as annuals, flowering from spring until autumn. Showy spikes of fragrant, burgendy, red, orange, yellow, rose, or pink flowers. Narrow, dark green leaves. Fully to half hardy. Needs sun and rich, well drained soil. Deadhead to prolong flowering season. Propgate by seed sown outdoors in late spring or by stem cuttings in early autumn or spring. Rust disease maybe a problem, but rust resistant cultivators are availble.
Cleome " Color Fountain" genus of annuals and a few evergreen shrubs, grown for their unusual spidery flowers in a cluster of pink, white, rose or purple. Blooms summer through fall with fern like leaves. With a height of 3 1/2 ft. and a spread of 1 1/2 ft. Grow in full sun and fertile, well drained soil. Remove dead flowers. Propagate by seed sown outdoors in late spring. Aphids may be a problem.
Strawflower "biknin" a moderately fast growning, upright, branching annual. Has lance like shaped green leaves and from early autumn, pappery,daisy-like flower heads in many colors including red, pink, orange, yellow and white. Has a height and spread of 12 inches ( 30cm). Half hardy, needs sun and well drained soil. Water generously in growing season, very spareingly when plants die down in winter. Propagate by seed or root stock in spring. All zones.
Nicotina "Domino White" fragrant white trumpet shaped flowers in summer; oval leaves, annual, all zones. Frost hardy to frost tender minus 34 degrees F. (1C.) Needs full sun and fertile well drained soil. Propagate by seed in early spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Zinna " Peter Pan Mix" double flowers of pink, scarlet, white, gold and orange from early summer to frost. Oval leaves on mounding plants. Annual with a height and spread of 1 ft. Needs full sun, average soil. All zones.
Fleabane "Pink Jewel" genus of spring and summer flowering annuals, perennials and biannuals grown for their daisy-like flower heads. Has a height and spread of 2 ft. Fully to frost hardy. Prefers sun and well drained soil. Resents winter danp, but should not be allowed to dry out durning growning season. Propagate by division in spring or early summer or by seed is autumn, selected forms by softwood cuttings in early summer. Good for Rock gardens or borders.
Cosmos "Sonata White" large white, daisy like flowers in summer and early fall. Feathery leaves, annual. tuberous perennial. Fully hardy to frost tender minus 39 to 9 degrees F. ( 2 to 4 C.). Needs full sun and does best in moist, well drained soil. Propagate half hardy speices by basal cuttings in spring, annuals by seed in autumn and spring.
Additional Flowers for a Enclosed Sitting Garden
Scarlet Sage " Lady in Red" slow growing, bushy perennial or evergreen sub-shrub grown as a annual. Dense racmes of scarlet flowers are borne in summer and early autumn on oval, serrated, fresh green leaves. Height and spread of 1 ft. Fully hardy to frost tender, minus 41 degrees F. ( 5.C). Needs full sun and fertile, well drained soil. Propagate perennials by division in spring. Sow seed of half hardy annuals under glass in early spring and fully hardy outdoors when ground is warm.
China Asters are avalible from petite varieties that form compact mounds at 1 ft. all the way to 2 1/2 ft. tall. Bloom times differ with early summer, mid summer and late summer varieties. For a contuinous show you will need to pick different varieties and or stagger sowing dates. Grow in full sun in rich soil. 2 disease problems in the past are yellow asters: carried by leaf hoppers and fusarium wilt a soil borne disease. Select disease resistent varieties when you buy seeds and plants. Spray to control insects. Don't plant them in the same ground 2 years in a row. Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. They germinate in 10 to 20 days at 70 degrees F. Otherwise plant in ground after last frost. Variety blooms only 3 to 4 weeks so for contunious show successive planting should be 2 weeks apart. China asters come in a variety of types, singe, semi-double and doubles as well as tall medium and dwarf, all in a range of colors that include white, pink, yellow, blue and red. Propagate by seed. Good in beds and borders. Alternate a space and a plant. Fill the spaces with young plants that will bloom later. Tall varieties make great cut flowers.
California Poppy" California hillsides are covered with this plant in the spring with the golden/orange poppies. Considered perennials in mild areas. California poppies have finely cut blue/green foliage in contrast to silky flower cups on slender, wiry stems 12 to 15 inches tall. This plant likes sandy, slightly alkaline soil in full sun. They will tolerate poor dry soils as well. Treated as annuals in all zones but 8 -10. In cool and maritime climates they will contuine to bloom all summer if deadheaded regularly. These plants DO NOT TRANSPLANT WELL! So they should be planted in place. In mild winter climates this is best done in fall, as small plants will winter over for earliest bloom. Elsewhere plant as soon as ground can be worked. If you must start indoors, transplant before tap root is established. Seed will germinate in 4 to 10 days when soil temperature is 60 degrees. Water well. Good for rock walls, gardens or as part of a naturalized meadow planting.
Pot Marigold " Bon Bon Apricot": these beauties bloom in all shades of white, gold, yellow and orange. Some varieties have flower petals dipped in contrasting colors. They are known as stalwarts of the cool season garden, growing all winter in zones 8 - 10. Cultivated marigolds grow 12 to 24 inches tall with rich green leaves. These plants have a height and spread of 12 to 24 inches. Flower can be single, semi-double, or fully double with flowers heads sometimes ranging as big as 4 inches. Marigolds like poor to medium soil in full sun with moderate moisture. They can surive several degrees of frost if hardened off properly. Can be planted in spring as soon as soil is workable. Plant 10 to 15 inches apart. Pick off spent blooms for contuined bloom sow seeds in July. In cool damp weather, mildew is occasionally is a problem. Propagate by seed. For earliest possible bloom, sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks early at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F. Germination takes 10 to 14 days. After transplanting, the seedlings grow in cooler temperatures 50 to 55 degrees F. Until planted outside. Seeds can be sown outside when soil is workable, with 10 to 15 inch spacings. For winter bloom in zones 8 - 10 seed should be sown in late fall. Use in beds, borders, planting pockets and containers in full sun. Makes a good lasting cutting flower.
Gazania the Treasure Flower: this Afican flower likes hot, dry summers and cool winters. With attractive notched leaves that are grey/green on top and silver beneath that grow in a rosette form. Flowers rise 8 to 12 inches in short stems and are in a variety of colors like white, pink, bronze, red, yellow and orange with contrasting bright yellow stripes, some varieties even have constrasting stripes on the ray petals. Prefer full sun and moderate, but well drained soil in hot, humid, climates. Annuals. Space 8 to 15 inches apart.
Celosia " Century Mix" also known as Plumbed and Cockscomb. The name comes from the Greek word burned. These airy feather duster look a like comes in colors that range from electic red to more subtle sand tones. The plumes make good dried specimans, since they retain color long after the harvest. Needs full sun and average soil. Seeds may be sown outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Flowers can last as long as 8 weeks after opening, but removing them will encourage side branches to develop new blooms. Propagate by seed. Germination is 70 degrees F. and takes 10 to 15 days. Plant should not be allowed to dry out. Tall varieties add complenetary textures to the center and sides of all beds and borders. While the short plants are good for edging and containers.
Swan River Daisy: the Swan River in Australia is home to this daisy flower charmer that comes in pink, blue, white and purple with either yellow or black centers. Formed in a loose mound up to 18 inches in height and spread. Many branched with slender stems and 1 1/2 inch flowers mostly single. This plant likes full sun, rich, well drained soil. Water when soil is dry but DO NOT OVER WATER! Also blooms better where temperatures are above 90 degrees F. and accompained by high humidy, do not contuine for long periods of times. Pinch young plants once to encourage bushiness. Plant 9 inches apart in garden and shear back to 6 inches to reinvigorate growth if needed. Propagate by seed or cuttings. Germination takes 10 to 18 days at 70 degrees F. Cuttings will take 15 days. Ideal for hanging baskets or container plants. Also rock gardens and as edging for tall borders.
Baby Blue Eyes is a California native found in woodland sites. A small plant, rarely growing over 10 inches tall the mounting plants are covered with 1 1/2 inch diameter flowers. Most are sky blue with white centers, but some forms are spotted or veined with deeper colors. Grows best in cool climates in full sun. In warmer climates, need partial shade. In hot climates, should be planted in a spring display. Needs good drainage and light, sandy loam, transplant plants in garden after last danger of frost. Space 6 to 9 inches apart. This plant reseeds it's self.
Cup Flower is a native to Centeral and South America. These are a tender perennial, usually grown as a annual. In frost free areas they will winter over with good drainage. With attractive green leaves topped at the end with bluish or purple flower. A small yellow spot in the center highlights each flower. These plants prefer to grow outward ( spreading up to 12 inches ) and only get 6 inches high. Likes full sun, well drained soil and adequate moisture. Only medium fertility is needed. Plant after danger of frost is passed. Pinch to encourage more branching and a higher yeild of flowers. Plant 5 to 6 inches apart. Propagate by seed at 70 degrees F. Germination is 14 to 21 days.
Browallia " Starlight Mix" are shrubby perennials usually grown as annuals with showy flowers of pale blue, lilac, or white on green leaves. Height and spread is 1 ft. Frost tender, minus 39 to 59 degrees F. ( 4 to 15 C.). Likes full sun to partial shade in fertile, well drained soil that should not dry out completely. Feed when flowering if pot grown and pinch out young shoots to encourage bushiness. Propagate by seed in spring. For winter flowers sow in autumn. All zones.
Sweet Alyssum perennials, some of which are evergreen and annuals, grown for their deep, violet flowers which bloom from spring until fall. Narrow leaves, 3 inches tall. Fully hardy. Needs sun and well drained soil. Cut back lightly after flowering. Propagate by seed in autumn or by softwood cuttings in late spring.