Picking and Choosing Your Annuals

I watch people shop the garden center and wonder "why do people choose the plants that they do?"

People in general are geared to buy smart and to not pay too much. I understand why a gardener picks up a 6-pack of petunias and a 4 inch potted petunia and decides to buy the 6-pack, They often comment how pretty and robust the 4 inch potted plant is, but decided to get the multi-pack instead because it contains 4 or 6 plants instead of 1 for the same money. They often think the only difference is time.

That is usually my cue to step in and explain the benefits of that particular 4 inch plant. Even though both plants look the same, they are not the same. They both might have the same looking flower, but at closer look they probably will be totally different plants. The 4 inch plant will out-grow and quickly cover the same territory that 6 plants would.

The 4" is often a sterile plant, but keeps on trying to set seed. This means the plant keeps on flowering, but without the deadheading required by the seed variety.

The genetically superior plants in the 4" pots bloom more, take the heat better and last longer. I point out that all the hanging baskets and patio pots were using the better genetics because they were more superior than the seed varieties.

After explaining about the better genetics, the customer often asks about the other selections in their cart. They usually trade their petunias, coleus, geraniums, lobelia, alyssum, impatience and dahlias from multi cell packs to the 4 inch pots.

On the flip side, don't assume that because it is in a 4 inch container, it has better genetics. That is not always the case. You might be able to purchase a smaller or cheaper plant. There might not be a difference in the genetics, or it might be a different plant all together.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Getting better genetics saves money, gets the look you want, and most of all………with great soil, water and fertilizer…..Makes better gardeners!!!

A little background into how we got these wonderful plants...

It all started in the early 90’s when agtech companies, plant nerds and leading plant propagators started thinking of gardening as a large business. They started branding their plants and companies to educate other gardeners. They picked and propagated new genetics, not just for color, but for habit and ease of growing.

Don’t jump to conclusions that the bigger plants are GMO’s (Genetically Modified) they are not!!

These plants are bred and propagated. These plants are usually found and sold individually in 4 inch pots instead of packs because of a higher price from the breeder. Also, as the plant grows, it will out-grow the multi-pack very quickly.

These companies were in it to make money. but their bigger goal was to make gardeners successful. Their goals were to introduce the best, most unique, high performing plants in terms of flowering, growth habit, disease resistance and garden performance.