Looking for Unique

[LBAK]

I'm looking for somew unique flowers to plant this season. I hate planting the same annuals as everyone else in the neighborhood. I spend many hours in the garden during the summer. I have perenials like foxgloves, coreopsis, sedums, hostas, iris, russian sage, bee balm, delphinium, astilbes and some ferns. For annuals I usually have the obligatory impatiens, begonias, holly hocks (not a biennial for me, they always die) , heliotrope, salvia, plus some others that slip my mind right now. I'm looking for something different that will fit in with my existing perenials. My garden ranges from full sun to shade so anything can go. I am in zone 7. Thanks.

 

[gallaj0]

Last year I planted Moonflower for the first time, and I was very happy with how easy they grew, adn how beautiful the plants and flowers were. They have huge white flowers, about 4-5 inches across, that open at dusk and flower at night. They have a beautiful, strong fragrence. I put them near some windows, adn you can smell the perfume walking by inside.

 

[sanddune]

Well ,I planted banana trees last year. This year I'm adding palm trees. Yes , I live in Michigan. My neighbors think they live in Florida!
PS. If I can't live in the tropics...Then I'll bring it to me! Oh.I also planted pineapple lillies.They do look like pineapples comming up.

 

[LBAK]

Sanddune- What do you do with the banana trees in the winter and how big do they get?

 

[shep]

I hope to try Lantana this year..
My mom had some last year & it bloomed all summer & attracted butterflies..

 

[sanddune]

The banana trees stay in the ground.They just need to be under 3-6 inches of mulch.Spring time uncover them when it stays above freezing.They are ok up to -20(ground temp). The banana trees can grow up to 12 feet tall.Last year was my first year.They where 6 feet.Not to bad ! They came as 6 inch plants.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'm a perennial girl by nature, but lately I've gotten excited about several annuals I've come across.
Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' is light and delicate, makes a great container plant or filler in the garden (in place of baby's breath)
Ornamental peppers really hit their glory in late summer/early fall, but are really beautiful. All different colors and types, I like the purple variety. They have a new black variety I must try (LOVE black in the garden!).
Go for tropical foliage...Alocasia and Colocasia are large, tropical plants that grow fast enough to be effective in a northern garden. Strobilanthes (Persian Shield) is really striking as foliage, too...shiny purple mottled leaves. Canna serve the same purpose, esp. if you get the striped-leaves varieties.
For really pretty flowers, try angelonia, calibrachoa (million bells, superbells), Intensia Cabernet phlox.
Annual grasses are worth a try, too.