March 13, 2004
Question: What are some good annuals for the front of the house which has full sun all day? Would gold lantana be good also?
Mike, North Fort Myers
Answer: Presently many retail nurseries are packed with a wide assortment of annuals. Apparently, some of these plants are left over cold season annuals and are not worth planting at this time of year. Snapdragons, petunias, phlox, Impatiens, dianthus and violas are still on some shelves and are not recommended for planting at this time of year. Sturdy plants for summer growth now on sale include marigolds, kalanchoes, salvias, and gallardias. The gold mound lantanas will do well now and into the summer. Keep a watch out at your nurseries for upcoming hot weather bloomers.
Stephen Brown is a horticulture agent with the Lee County Extension.
To submit questions call the horticulture desk at 461-7504 between 9 a.m. and 4
p.m. or via e-mail at
shb@mail.ifas.ufl.edu. Listen to the ‘Garden Show’ at 8 a.m. on
1200-AM WINK/WNOG.