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I got tired this year of the Bacopa, Million Bells, in a hanging plantar. So I went to the nursery and saw a gorgeous plant and picked it up. It is called a Torenia. The flower has the "softness" of an orchid and it is just stunning. Mine is in late afternoon sun and is thriving and I am in Zone 7b.
Nemesia. I don't know how unusual they are in other places but here they're not often easy to find and I haven't had any success with starting them from seed. But they are favourites of mine because there are so many colours it's mind boggling, they require no care except watering and they just keep on producing these small, delicate fairy flowers for months and months and months from spring through until the dead end of autumn. This year the only nemesias I could find around here were called "Banana Swirl", they are light ashy mauve and pale pinkish yellow, with frilly petals and they are just going gang busters in the flower bed they're in. I must confess mauve is not a first choice of colour for me but these ones are still very lovely and now their ashy mauve colour is growing on me.
I really like those little torenia plants too. One year I got some blue wings and some pink wings torenias and they were prolific bloomers as well, going right into autumn. I like the gentle way they spread across the ground without getting invasive with other plants.
Nemesia. I don't know how unusual they are in other places but here they're not often easy to find and I haven't had any success with starting them from seed. But they are favourites of mine because there are so many colours it's mind boggling, they require no care except watering and they just keep on producing these small, delicate fairy flowers for months and months and months from spring through until the dead end of autumn. This year the only nemesias I could find around here were called "Banana Swirl", they are light ashy mauve and pale pinkish yellow, with frilly petals and they are just going gang busters in the flower bed they're in. I must confess mauve is not a first choice of colour for me but these ones are still very lovely and now their ashy mauve colour is growing on me.
I really like those little torenia plants too. One year I got some blue wings and some pink wings torenias and they were prolific bloomers as well, going right into autumn. I like the gentle way they spread across the ground without getting invasive with other plants.
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Totally forgot the nemesia’s. I had them several years ago. Will note on my calendar for next year. My torenia is in a flattened ice cream cone aluminum hanging pot. It is spilling over the sides now and it is a blue purple and just stunning. New for me this tear. Will definitely be a repeat next year.
Four O'Clocks. They are so nice to see bloom in the evening. Smell like baby soap. And they are "volunteer" plants that self seed and you get new plants every year for free. NOT a perinnial.
I want to mention that you can get color into your garden with annual plants like rex begonias, caladiums, purple sweet potato vine and purple wandering jew. The last plant might act as a perennial in moderate climates. And don’t forget coleus.
If you're doing hanging planters, my favorite is fuchsia. It's not exactly a rare plant, but is it ever pretty!
If it's something for a planting bed, I love sweet pea, cosmos, nigella, pansies, and primroses. Some of these are perennials, or annuals that grow seeds very easily so you can collect them for next year.
I don't know how unusual it is but I haven't seen any others in my area and I get a lot of compliments on them (and neighbors wanting cuttings) but my purple perilla magilla. This is NOT the invasive, edible perilla. It's strictly ornamental.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Ours is a perennial in many places, but here it's hard to keep through winter. This year I managed, by covering it up when close to freezing, and bringing it inside when in the 20s. I don't know the name of this Martha Washington but it's an unusual and very cool color.
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