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Beautifully flowering low plants are always included by designers in spectacular compositions. Colorful annual flowers undersized species give the opportunity to numerous design options for flower beds and borders. The varied, rich palette of low annuals provides a favorable backdrop for impressive tall flower ensembles. A mosaic of flowering and ornamental deciduous annuals brings a touch of life to the green lawns. The group of popular low annuals is expanding every year.
The specifics of gardening with annuals
Low garden annuals planted with seedlings allow you to create a magnificent flower bed in 2-3 weeks. These unpretentious annual flowers as if they were made for a summer residence. Stunted forms of plants make the driveway neat and tidy. Spectacular tall plants will already be located behind their colorful strip.
Undersized annuals occupy a decisive place in landscaping due to their unique properties.
- Non-standard compositional drawing of a flower garden when using a different combination of colors;
- The onset of flowering in a relatively short time;
- The ability to create original ornamental flowering rugs;
- Long duration of flowering;
- A quick and wonderful way to fill the empty space between young perennials;
- Easy to care for.
Low annual flowers like to be planted along fences and paths, near walls and next to vegetable plants.
Principles for the selection of plants for a flower bed
It is necessary to select undersized annuals for a flower bed, relying on some of their general properties and the location of the future flower garden.
Beds of flowering low plants differ in characteristics:
- High level of sun illumination. Purslane, marigolds, nasturtium, geranium, calendula, seed dahlias, alyssum, petunias will bloom well here. Reveal the beauty of their bright chlorophytum leaves, ornamental cabbage, coleus, cinneraria;
- The presence of penumbra. Such conditions like balsam, calceolaria, begonia, fuchsia;
- Humidity. Begonia, balsam, ornamental cabbage, coleus grow well;
- Color palette.
By the color of flowers or leaves of plants, they are guided by variegation, contrast or harmonious transitions. Low-growing white flowers will always be appropriate. There are many such annuals with different flower sizes.
Curb plants
Annuals play a special role for the borders. They either contrast with the surrounding plants, or neutral colors - silver and white - prepare for the contemplation of a colorful show. Picking up flowering low-growing annuals, they are guided by the following rules:
- Continuity of the flower stream. It is necessary to sow or plant low annual flowers in two rows;
- The width of the borders does not exceed 0.5 m, plants are placed that is not higher than 40 cm;
- The constancy of decorative flowers, which does not depend on the weather. They plant hardy low curb annuals that do not suffer from rain or heat, but always remain presentable;
- Plant recovery.Curb annual flowers are at risk of being trampled or trampled by the mower. Fast regeneration of branches is a decisive moment in choosing plants for the curb;
- Good compatibility of undersized annual border flowers.
Appropriate care, regular watering and feeding will provide a border of low flowers or ornamental deciduous annual plants with a spectacular look from spring to autumn.
Types of stunted plants and flowers
The kingdom of annual low-growing flowers is inexhaustible. Blooming carpets in the courtyards, flowerpots on the balconies of bright or calm colors delight the eye both in the village and in the city. Everyone selects their favorite plants.
Marigold
Low, up to 20-30 cm, marigold bushes with yellow and orange flowers grow in the sun and in the shade, not capricious at all. Their seeds can be sown in warm soil or grown as seedlings. The plants are very lush and picturesque, with long flowering until frost. There are high varieties, up to 50-60 cm. These are classic low-growing annual border flowers.
Begonia
Spectacular flower beds of low-growing annuals are made from begonias, which are characterized by catchy colors. Her partners: alissum, ageratum, lobelia, feverfew. The plant is sown for seedlings in February, planted in May. Flowering continues until autumn. Begonia prefers moderately moist acidified nutrient soils. The plant does not tolerate drought well.
Petunia
The delicate flowers loved by many delight their admirers from spring to autumn. Luxurious flowering of low-growing annuals in a sunny place with sufficient watering. In the rain, the decorativeness of flowering plants decreases. Unpretentious acclimatized petunias multiply by direct sowing into the ground. Flowers of exquisite varieties are grown by seedlings. The seeds are only laid out on the soil surface, slightly pressed. Shoots appear on the 10-14th day. To form a good fibrous root, the plants are transplanted into pots twice.
Eschsholzia
Low-growing, from 20 to 40 cm, drought-resistant annuals grow on any soils, except for acidic ones. Before sowing, the seeds are kept in the cold. They are sown into the ground in early spring, sometimes even in the snow, then mulch, or in autumn. They are small, they are slightly pressed into the soil and sprinkled with mulch. Escholzia can reproduce by self-seeding. The color of the flowers is varied: white, cream, yellow, orange, red. Creates a very fun "chintz" in the garden.
Purslane
Low-growing, up to 10 cm, purslane plants cover the flowerbed with a multi-colored carpet. Flowers are simple and double, completely different shades, except for cold ones: crimson, red, pink, yellow, white. It grows in full sun, sandy and rocky soils are suitable for it. Undemanding to watering. Purslane is similar to succulent with succulent stems and leaves. The plant has worked well as annual border flowers in sunny, dry areas.
Small seeds are sown into the heated soil. For seedlings, peat must not be added to the soil. A very thermophilic plant, afraid of cold weather. Seedlings are moved to flower beds at the end of May, June. The bright annual can reproduce by self-seeding.
Lobelia
Lush lobelia pillows in blue, purple, light burgundy and white look expressively and elegantly on flower beds or in pots. Grown through seedlings. Small seeds that sprout after two weeks should not be covered with soil. Lobelia roots are tender, it is necessary to sow 3-4 grains in separate containers so as not to dive. A pot where one bush will grow does not look as impressive as a group of four plants.Loves sunlight and abundant watering, the best soils are loamy, loose. Partners: petunia, balsam, verbena, rudbeckia.
Iberis
Small white flowers form a graceful cloud, which serves as an interesting backdrop for bright undersized plants. There are varieties with other colors: lilac and pink. Grows on loose soils, in the sun and in partial shade. Water only on hot days. The faded parts are removed. For lush flowering, they are fed. Partners: ageratum, petunias, alissum.
Seeds are sown in autumn or April superficially, lightly sprinkling with soil. To obtain continuous flowering in the summer, a second sowing is carried out after 15-20 days. Plants sprout up to two weeks. If grown as seedlings, they are not dived.
Calceolaria
The original flowers-shoes grow in partial shade. The plant blooms all summer long. Water should be done carefully, without splashing water. The soft leaves of the flower do not tolerate water droplets. It is often grown as a houseplant with yellow and red flowers.
Seeds of varieties that are grown in soil are sown in February or March. Sand is poured onto the soil of the container in a thin layer. Put seeds on top, cover the container with a film. Seedlings germinate in a bright place after two weeks. Water it very carefully so as not to damage the small shoots. They dive in a month. Plants are placed in the garden at the end of May. Waterlogging is detrimental to calceolaria.
Balsam
Popular name "Vanka wet" or "Impatient". There are many varieties of plants, home and garden forms. A shade-loving plant with white, pink or coral flowers and lanceolate leaves is sown on the plots. The flower does not tolerate hot dry weather. Need regular watering.
Sowing seedlings in March, seedlings wait a long time. Withstands a pick well. When planted in a permanent place, you can pinch the top so that the bush grows more luxuriantly. Seed boxes differ in that when ripe they crack at the slightest touch.
Ageratum
Unpretentious sun-loving plant with blue, purple, pink and white inflorescences, fluffy balls. Low-growing annual plant 15-45 cm tall. Ageratum, planted along the curb, looks very impressive with a blue stream. His partners: calendula, snapdragon, marigolds. Watering is periodic.
It is grown by seedlings. The plant is sown from mid-March. It rises in two weeks. Seedlings need to be dived twice, the last time in pots. Loves dry air and moist soil. Planted in a permanent place, without shading, in late May or June. Blooms in July and August.
Salvia
Red torch flowers are known in parks and gardeners. there is salvia with cream and purple color. Very prominent annual flowers for the border. Propagated by seeds, through seedlings, which are sown in February. Seedlings dive, planted in a sunny place in May. It blooms three months after germination. Effective next to silvery cineraria, levkoy, asters.
With bright colors of flowers, the whole summer is festive and cozy.
