Exploring New Varieties:
Uncommon Annuals Worth Trying

Gardening enthusiasts and landscape designers often find joy in the vibrant blooms of annual plants. While classic varieties like petunias, marigolds, and zinnias are staples in many gardens, there exists an exciting world of lesser-known annuals just waiting to be explored. These uncommon varieties can add unique textures, colors, and forms to your garden or patio, allowing for a more personalized and distinctive look. In this article, we will delve into some of these hidden gems, highlighting their characteristics, growing conditions, and how best to incorporate them into your landscape.

Why Choose Uncommon Annuals?

1. Diversity: Incorporating uncommon annuals into your garden introduces a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that can elevate your design.
2. Pollinator Attraction: Many rare or lesser-known species attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that help sustain the local ecosystem.
3. Personal Expression: Unique plants reflect your personality and gardening style. They can set your garden apart from the more common landscapes in your neighborhood.
4. Seasonal Interest: Some uncommon annuals offer extended bloom times or fascinating seed heads and foliage that provide interest even after the flowers fade.

1. Cleome (Spider Flower)

Cleome, often referred to as spider flower due to its distinctively shaped blooms, features long petals that resemble spider legs. The flowers come in shades of pink, white, purple, and lavender.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.
• Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil but is adaptable to various soil types.
• Watering: Once established, Cleome is drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during its initial growth phase.

Garden Use

Cleome can be used as a tall background plant in borders or as a focal point in mixed beds. Its unique structure pairs well with softer annuals like cosmos or lower-growing varieties such as petunias.

2. Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)

Amaranthus encompasses a range of species known for their dramatic foliage and striking flower heads. The most notable is Amaranthus caudatus, or love-lies-bleeding, which features long drooping clusters of red or burgundy flowers.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun is ideal.
• Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil but is tolerant of poor soils.
• Watering: Moderate watering; allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Garden Use

Amaranthus works beautifully as an accent plant due to its height and cascading flowers. It can be used in both formal settings or cottage-style gardens. Additionally, its leaves are often colorful and provide additional visual interest throughout the growing season.

3. Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)

Tithonia rotundifolia is known for its bright orange-yellow flowers that resemble daisies but have a more robust appearance. This native Mexican plant is not only beautiful but also attracts butterflies in droves.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun exposure is essential for optimal blooming.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil with moderate fertility.
• Watering: Regular watering during dry spells encourages lush growth.

Garden Use

The vibrant color of Tithonia makes it an excellent choice for creating bold color schemes or as part of sunflower gardens. It pairs well with cooler-toned plants like blue lobelia or purple salvia for a striking contrast.

4. Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)

Nicotiana offers fragrant blooms that are often tubular in shape and come in various colors such as white, pink, and greenish-yellow. These plants are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and night-flying moths due to their scent.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
• Soil: Prefers rich organic matter; good drainage is essential.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.

Garden Use

Nicotiana can be used at the front of borders or in containers where their fragrance can be appreciated closely. Their subtle beauty can complement bolder annuals like dahlias or geraniums while providing a fragrant backdrop during evening gatherings.

5. Scaevola (Fan Flower)

Scaevola is a unique trailing plant with fan-shaped flowers available in shades of blue, purple, and white. This variety is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of containers.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun is ideal; requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Soil: Well-draining potting mix works best; avoid overly wet conditions.
• Watering: Water regularly but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering sessions.

Garden Use

Scaevola adds lovely texture to vertical gardens or mixed containers where its trailing habit softens hard edges. Pair it with upright plants like salvia or euphorbia for a dynamic display that captures attention from all angles.

6. Verbena Bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

This tall perennial behaves as an annual in cooler climates and produces clusters of small purple flowers atop long stems that sway gracefully with the breeze. Its airy form makes it visually appealing without overwhelming other plants.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun is crucial for optimal flowering.
• Soil: Well-drained soil helps prevent root rot; does not require high fertility.
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water when necessary during dry spells.

Garden Use

Tall verbena works beautifully in naturalized settings alongside grasses or low-growing ground covers such as creeping thyme or clover. It’s also stunning when planted en masse along pathways or borders where its height can create visual drama.

7. Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant’

While zinnias are common garden favorites, Benary’s Giant cultivars deserve special mention for their size and brilliant colors—from pinks to reds to oranges—these blossoms make a bold statement.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Requires full sun exposure for best growth.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
• Watering: Even moisture promotes healthy growth; avoid overhead watering to minimize disease risk.

Garden Use

Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant’ can stand alone as focal points due to their large blooms and sturdy stems or be incorporated into mixed bouquets with softer blooms like snapdragons or stocks for contrast.

Conclusion

Exploring uncommon annuals opens up a world of creativity and inspiration within your gardening endeavors. By incorporating these unique varieties into your landscape, you not only enhance biodiversity but also create spaces that reflect your individuality as a gardener. With their diverse textures, vivid colors, and interesting forms, these uncommon annuals invite you to reimagine what your garden could be. So next planting season, consider stepping away from conventional choices and trying something new—your garden will thank you!