I started working in Horsford’s greenhouse twenty-seven years ago. For 18 years we grew the same annuals. Whatever was available, we grew. Now and then we would get a new petunia or impatiens, nothing spectacular. Bored of the repetitiveness of my job, I started
searching English, German and American seed catalogues and slowly introduced some new varieties. Then suddenly the annual market exploded. Hybridizers and plant collectors started offering new and unusual plants at an amazing pace. The European growers have farms in South Africa. They introduce new crops to the European and the American markets. It used to be that a plant held on to its “new” label for several years. Now it is only “new” for a season.

Growing annuals is fun. Now the choices are overwhelming. My greenhouse is too small. I can only fit 8 varieties of coleus, but I want 16! Tall, fragrant, pink, white and green nicotiana has forced out the marigolds. Although I did manage to find space for one marigold called ‘sweet cream’.

The space dedicated to tall zinnias has been rededicated to Alternantheras (5 varieties), Angelonias (4 varieties), Cuphea (3 varieties), Euphorbia‘Diamond Frost’, ‘Black Pearl’ ornamental pepper and the list goes on and on. Zinnias were hard to manage in the hot greenhouse. They grew too tall and flopped all over each other. It is really best to direct seed them into your garden bed. We do still grow some charming short varieties including the new‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ and the golden creeping Sanvitalia.

We have six plant varieties that are suitable for xeriscape or shallow dish gardens including Echevaria, a Mexican Hens and Chicks. All these cacti-like plants can easily be wintered over indoors.

Stop in and chat with any of us greenhouse gals (Lisa, Susan, and Eileen). We would love to help you choose plants for window boxes, pots or your garden. Some plants might not yet be in bloom but we can easily help you work them into your plantings. Believe me, you will not be disappointed!