9/12
Globe Amaranth
Add some whimsy to your garden and containers with globe amaranth (Gomphrena). Its papery textured, globe-shaped blooms are held upright like little lollipops on strong stems.
Depending on which type you plant, it could grow eight inches or three feet tall, so read the tag carefully when choosing the best one to fit your space. Plant a few extra for cutting because these unique flowers stay the same color whether fresh or dried. You’ll find them in shades of purple, pink, red and white.
Globe amaranth is a durable annual that handles heat and drought well. Give it some elbow room when planting companions nearby to allow for good airflow and prevent powdery mildew. Well-drained soil is essential for its continued good health.
10/12
Pentas
Thriving in heat and humidity, pentas are commonly grown as perennials in tropical climates like Florida. In USDA Zones 8 and colder, they’re grown as annuals in containers and garden beds.
You’re sure to see butterflies and hummingbirds when you plant these pink, red, lavender and white blooms. Tightly packed clusters of star-shaped flowers top the 18- to 26-inch-tall plants from early summer to frost. Look for Sunstar pentas with particularly large flower clusters, nearly the size of hydrangeas.
Pentas will grow in nearly any soil with decent drainage, including alkaline. Mulch around their shallow roots to keep the soil cool and moist. No deadheading is needed for continuous bloom, but feeding once per month with water-soluble plant food will keep them growing strong.
11/12
Moss Rose
If you live where summers tend to be hot and dry, moss rose (Portulaca) is perfect for the sunniest parts of your landscape. This flowering succulent is virtually carefree once established, blooming non-stop without deadheading all season.
You’ll find single and double-flowered varieties in mixed colors or single shades of red, magenta, pink, orange and yellow. Bees often visit on sunny afternoons, but the flowers close up at night and on rainy days.
Rock gardens, troughs and rocky outcroppings are all good places to sow seeds of low-growing moss roses. They appreciate the sharply drained soil as their shallow roots will easily rot if planted in heavy soil. No fertilizer is needed to keep the flowers coming.
