Flowering Kale/Cabbage
October 2008
When is the proper time to plant pansies? Do they need full sun? What type of soil?
I want to plant pansies in front of the signs at town hall, the police station and
the entrance to a recreation park. All locations are in full sun. Would pansies be
a good choice or is there another flower to consider? I would like flowers all winter
and then change them out in the springtime with red begonias and Joseph coats.
Pansies are an excellent choice for fall through spring color. They do well in full
sun to partial shade and like a well amended and well drained soil. October through
November is the ideal time to plant them. There are other options for fall color as
well, including: violas, dianthus, snapdragons (central Arkansas south), dusty miller,
flowering kale and cabbage, Bright Lights Swiss Chard, and curly mustard. In many
seasons, we find the violas outperform the pansies, since they tolerate more fluctuations
in temperatures than the pansies do. Fertilize periodically throughout the winter
when we get warmer temperatures.
October 2008
In a recent issue of Southern Living there was an article on lantanas. It said that
lantanas are native to tropical America and may be annuals or perennials, depending
on where you live. We live in Heber Springs. Would these flowers do well here? If
so, where can we get plants or seeds? We like the idea of something that is hardy
and blooms spring until fall. Thanks for your assistance.
Lantana plants would be considered an annual in Heber Springs, although it is perennial
in south Arkansas and even occasionally in Little Rock. In mild winters it may over
winter further north, but don't count on it. Lantana is a common plant at most nurseries
and garden centers statewide. It has been on the market for years. Newer varieties
have been released that are self-cleaning, meaning they don't set as many seeds, and
the plants bloom more freely without the need to deadhead. Lantana thrives in hot
weather. It won't kick in and grow when the weather is cool in early spring, but once
the soil temperature heats up, this plant will bloom up until frost. It comes in a
variety of colors from yellows, whites, reds, and the traditional multi colored blooms
of yellow and oranges. Give it plenty of sunlight and fertilize monthly throughout
the blooming season.
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