This was an article that was released in a Lifestyles article from the Nassau Guardian on July 24th. The following annuals can be planted and/or found in abundance on Rum Cay as well as the rest of the Bahamas. Please view the sources at the bottom of the post for the original articles.
Annuals are Hardy and Thrive in our Soil
Annuals are plants that grow, flower, produce seeds and die in one growing season. The quickest way to enjoy your garden filled with flowers is to purchase young annuals from your local nursery and set them out in your garden.
The following annual plants are hardy and will thrive very well in our soil.
Marigolds: There are two sizes of these plants — dwarfs which are eight inches high and giants, with large blooms and reach a height of four feet. They should be planted at least 12 inches apart and in full sun. Marigolds it is noted, have pest repellent qualities.
Zinnias: Grow to heights of two to three feet and should be planted at least 12 inches apart. The flowers are often referred as “cut-and-come again” and are excellent as cut flowers for your home or office. They should be planted in full sun.
Balsam: These plants consist of white or pink flowers, and should be planted in the shade. They grow to a height of eight to 24 inches.
Nasturtium: A delightful and fragrant flower to grow for picking and use in salads. These flowers require some shade during these hot summer months. The vinegrows from four to 14 inches in length.
Sweet Alyssum: Ideal for hanging baskets or as an edging flower. They grow to a height of three to 12 inches. The plants begin to bloom in six weeks, producing white, pink or purple flowers.
Petunia: In order to have masses of flowers all season, purchase plants from your local nursery. For the greatest show in your garden, get one color only and place them in a sunny place — 12 inches apart.
Sunflowers: Grow to a height of six to eight feet. The flower center provides seeds for the birds that thrive in your garden.
Verbena: These plants require full sun and should be spaced six to 12 inches apart. Plants can be obtained in pink, white red, lavender and salmon colors and are ideal as cut flowers for your home or office.
Biennials: Have a two-year plant cycle. During the first year, they produce leaves and the next year they flower beautifully and then die. Some of the favorites in this group of plants that give an abundance of flowers and color in your garden are Sweet William (Dianthus) which provide clusters of bright blossoms on six to 24-inch plants in various colors. Canterbury Bells, an unusual plant that is often called the “cup and saucer bell flower” because of the shape of its blooms, which grows to a height of four feet, with flowers which may be white, purple or pink; and Foxglove, one of the most stately of all flowers with spines reaching a height of five to eight feet tall. This plant grows best in shade and has tubular flowers in purple, white and yellow flowers which hang down like bells.
Planting guide for July
Flowers: Aster, cosmos, gaillardia, marigold, portulaca, periwinkle, salvia.
Vegetables: Celery, collards, eggplant, okra, pepper, spinach, turnip.
Grasses: Bahia, Bermuda
For help with garden problems, write to Garden Korner, P.O. Box N-3011, Nassau
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