Page 16 - INTRA MUROS November 2020

GARDENING

ANNUALS

By Elize Malan

“Flowers are like friends;
they bring colour to your
world”
Unknown

lants that perform their entire life
cycle from seed to flower within a
Psingle growing season are called
annuals.

We are a country facing severe water
shortages with dramatic climatic
variations, but there are few areas which
will not sustain a spot of colour in some
annual floral form throughout the year.
What we describe as a “winter garden” Namaqualand daisies
will actually reach its peak in spring. The Growing annuals from seed:
summer plants will carry through to the Under ideal conditions, a seed may
next winter planting season. This will give germinate in two days, but under less
a full cycle of colour throughout the year. favourable conditions, it can take six days.
Read the instructions on the seed packet
Few other countries have the superb and believe the supplier that the plant will
conditions that will allow annuals to take ninety days to flower.
provide such an abundance of colour.
Bulbs are of little significance in our Collect your own seed from annuals such
gardens due to their short season and as the Namaqualand daisy (sown in April
flowering perennials are erratic. A few trays for spring colour) and Marigold (sown in
of annuals can add the stunning finale to a September for summer colour). Plants
very ordinary garden. with big seeds, such as Zinnias, can be
sown directly in situ and germinate easily.
Small seeds (often dust-like), for example
Petunias, need to be mixed with flour
before sowing and should preferably be
sown in a seed box where germination can
be carefully monitored.
After germination, the seedlings are
transplanted into seedling trays or directly
into the garden when the plants are
50mm across. Protect the small seedlings Bellis perennis English Daisy
from direct sunlight for a few days and Planting pots of colour:
remember that the soil has to be moist at This is ideal, but it is expensive. Small
all times. pots/bags are sold, each filled with an
annual plant fully in flower. When planting
Choosing seedlings for your garden: containers for use at functions or in small
Never buy a tray of seedlings when the indoor gardens, these pots are perfect.
leaves are wilted. The small plants will have Grow your own pots of colour. After
a setback due to wilting. Choose a tray not planting up the flower bed, pot up a few
fully in bloom but filled with healthy, sturdy extra seedlings. Plant each plant in a small
little plants. The seedlings with fewer individual pot, place in a protected spot
flowers will settle quickly and provide an and use as needed when the plants are
abundance of flowers. Seedlings in full fully in flower.
flower and grown too large for the small
container will be root bound, and take a Tel: 012 804 1807
while to spread in garden soil. Web: www.garden-group.co.za
Email: admin@garden-group.co.za
Allow enough space between individual Photos supplied by: Carol Knoll
plants and if snails and slugs appear in
your garden, apply organic snail bait to
protect the annuals.
Dimorphotheca 'Whirligig' Annuals

14 INTRA MUROS NOVEMBER 2020