Digital Editions

The Flower Fields
‘Carita Deep Pink’

by George Papadelis

Angelonia is one of the most versatile plants available to today’s savvy gardener. When planted in the sun it blooms effortlessly all summer long and can be used a number of different ways.

The common name for angelonia is summer snapdragon, but most gardeners are comfortable with the scientific name. The individual flowers actually look more like tiny orchids than snapdragons, but they develop on long stems just like snapdragons. Unlike snapdragons, however, angelonia performs beautifully in the summer heat. Removing the spent blooms will promote additional flowers but is not necessary. Simply plant in rich, well-drained soil with some sun (at least 6 hours) and fertilize every few weeks. Angelonia will do the rest.

Varieties are available in about 5 colors that include shades of white, pink, blue, purple, and a unique purple and white bicolor. Most varieties are upright growers that reach a height of 12 to 18 inches. These are by far the most popular and versatile cultivars. Their stiff stems are strong enough to prominently support the beautiful flowers in severe rain, but also pliable enough to sway in the wind without ever breaking. The three most common series are the Angelface, Carita, and AngelMist.

Proven Winners
‘Angelface White’There are also cultivars that were bred for a cascading habit. These can be used by themselves in hanging baskets or they may be incorporated into mixed planters as a trailing accent. The AngelMist series offers Basket Purple and Basket White. The Carita series offers Cascade Deep Pink, Cascade White, and Cascade Deep Purple. These perform just as effortlessly as the upright cultivars but are used in a different way.

As far as the uprights go, they are extremely versatile. I have seen mass plantings of angelonia that look just as gorgeous up close as they do from a hundred feet away. A sea of vibrant, orchid-like flowers clustered on upright stems can be stunning. Angelonia can also be used as an annual border plant. Use them just as you would medium height snapdragons, but with a more limited color range and superior performance.

They may also serve as an upright element in the center of a combination planter; it’s far more interesting than a spike. For example, a white angelonia can certainly be used with a red geranium. Better yet, try the white angelonia with a rose-colored geranium and a trailing blue fan flower (Scaevola). Maybe even add some trailing silver from a lotus vine or a lamium. The blue angelonia looks great with pinks, whites, and a splash of silver or dark foliage.

Now here’s an added bonus: For you perennial purists who are open-minded enough to have read this far, angelonia could be your best friend. Since it is underused and has a perennial-like appearance, it can serve as a graceful, perennial border filler with easy flowers from spring until fall. Other exceptional annuals for the sunny perennial border include tobacco flower (Nicotiana) , Amaranthus, the tall ageratum ‘Blue Horizon,’ tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis), spider flower (Cleome), and many more. As the lines between annuals, perennials, and tropicals continue to blur in American gardens, angelonia will become more and more popular.

George Papadelis is the owner of Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, MI.

Simply Beautiful
‘AngelMist Basket Purple’

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Angelonia pricing 

Angelonia plants available prior to 2006 were grown from cuttings. Plants propagated from cuttings are more expensive to grow and are usually offered in pots (as opposed to flats) that are sold at a higher price, which makes them economically impractical for mass plantings. In contrast, seed-grown annuals are usually offered in flats (as opposed to pots) that are sold at a much lower price per plant. As such, seed-grown annuals are more economical for larger plantings.

The good news is that a seed company started offering angelonia from seed during the 2006 season. The series is called Serena and it comes in four colors (lavender, lavender pink, purple and white) and a mixture. They are only 12 inches tall and grow about 12 inches wide. This means that you will be able to buy a flat of beautiful angelonias and use them for a reasonably-priced mass planting. As you can see, plant breeders have recognized the value and potential popularity of angelonia. They continue to dedicate themselves to broadening the uses and color range, so keep an eye out for exciting future introductions.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

At a glance: Angelonia

Common name: Summer snapdragon

Botanical name: Angelonia (an-jeh-LOW-nee-uh)

Plant type: Annual

Plant size: 12-18 inches tall

Habit: Upright; some varieties are cascading

Flower color: White, pink, blue, purple, purple & white bicolor

Flower size: 3/4 inch wide

Bloom period: Summer

Light: Sun

Soil: Fertile, well-drained

Uses: Annual, filling in gaps in the perennial border, containers (both upright & cascading varieties)

Remarks: Does well in the heat of summer

K. Van Bourgondien & Sons / 800-622-9997
Phlox subulata

by George Papadelis

We’ve all seen it: that glowing mound of flowers that catches your eye each spring. It’s impossible to miss an established planting of creeping phlox, even when driving 40 miles per hour.

Creeping phlox is the name often used to describe several species within the huge genus Phlox, which includes perennials such as the tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata and Phlox maculata) and the annual phlox (Phlox drummondii). Few perennials, however, can produce flowers as densely and reliably as creeping phlox.

There are several species of phlox that are low growing. The most popular is Phlox subulata which bears the common name moss phlox or creeping phlox. This easy to grow plant thrives in sun and is not particular about its soil, although good drainage is preferable. The small, starry flowers come in many colors and the fine foliage can be dense or airy depending on the cultivar. Spring temperatures determine whether your phlox will bloom in late April or as late as mid May. Flowering only lasts for about 3 to 4 weeks. Most grow 4 to 6 inches tall and stay extra compact, especially if lightly sheared after blooming. They can spread up to 2 or more feet wide in just a few years.

Phlox subulata is native to the eastern United States but is hardy enough to withstand much colder climates. Pest and disease problems are rare. This is part of the reason that moss phlox is one of the most popular rock garden plants. It is also used in troughs, as an edging plant, in wall gardens, and in the perennial border. It doesn’t grow from seed, but mature plants can be divided after they flower.

The two most popular varieties of Phlox subulata are the blue ‘Emerald Blue’ and the pink ‘Emerald Pink,’ due to their bright, clean flowers and their dense, low leaves. ‘White Delight’ is the most popular white and ‘Atropurpurea’ is the most popular red. For interesting bicolored flowers, try ‘Millstream Coral Eye.’ It is pure white with a crimson eye. ‘Millstream Daphne’ is clear pink with a darker rose eye. One of the most striking cultivars is ‘Candy Stripes,’ with a distinctly star-shaped pattern.

There are many early-blooming plants that make wonderful partners for moss phlox. As far as bedding plants are concerned, pansies are certainly the most diverse and dependable phlox companions. They come in an almost infinite range of colors and color combinations, and they will tolerate the occasional frosts and freezes of early spring. Early-blooming perennial companions include bugleweed (Ajuga), pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris), and a very broad range of bulbs. Blue or pink moss phlox underneath the blooms of yellow daffodils makes an impressive combination.

Phlox douglasii is another available species that is also called moss phlox and grows almost exactly like Phlox subulata. Phlox douglasii is even shorter, rarely growing over 4 inches tall. Only a few cultivars exist, but ‘Crackerjack’ has near red flowers and ‘Rose Cushion’ has delicate, soft baby pink flowers that are very unusual. They only grow 10 to 12 inches wide, making them even better for smaller crevices or troughs. These varieties also benefit from shearing after blooming.

For shade or partial shade, we have Phlox stolonifera, commonly known as creeping phlox. This was the very first plant chosen to be the Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association back in 1990. Its low, spreading stems are adorned with leathery, almost round leaves. The stems are referred to as stolons since they will root at the stem nodes and tips. Stem tips will turn upright and produce clusters of sweetly fragrant flowers in May. Plants will grow 6 to 12 inches tall and spread indefinitely to form a groundcover.

Phlox stolonifera makes a great companion for spring-blooming shade plants such as primrose, lungwort (Pulmonaria), foamflower (Tiarella), and shade-tolerant bulbs such as scilla and daffodils. Selections include the white ‘Bruce’s White,’ the pink ‘Pink Ridge,’ the blue ‘Blue Ridge,’ and the purple ‘Sherwood Purple.’ These, like Phlox subulata and Phlox douglasii, are best propagated by division. Also, rooted stolons (stems) can be separated from the main plant and grown on their own.

All of these phlox are very easy to grow. Their dense flowers, reliability, and ease of cultivation make them valuable perennials. Try some and you too could have a carpet of traffic-stopping blooms in your spring garden.

George Papadelis is the owner of Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, MI.

At a glance: Creeping Phlox

Phlox stolonifera (floks sto-lo-NI-fer-a)
Phlox subulata (floks sub-ew-LAH-ta)

Common name: Creeping phlox, moss phlox

Plant type: Perennial

Plant size: 4-12 inches tall

Habit: Creeping groundcover

Hardiness: Zone 2

Flower color: Wide variety: lilac, pale blue, mauve, pink (many shades), white, red

Bloom period: April-May

Light: P. stolonifera: partial shade to shade / P. subulata: sun

Soil: P. stolonifera: rich, moist, well-drained / P. subulata: well-drained

Uses: Evergreen groundcover, edging, woodland garden, rock garden

Companion plants: P. stolonifera: early spring-blooming bulbs and perennials for shade, such as lungwort (Pulmonaria), foamflower (Tiarella), scilla, many others. P. subulata: early spring-blooming bulbs and perennials for sun, such as pansies, ajuga, daffodils, many others.

Remarks: Keep P. stolonifera out of full sun. P. subulata is drought-tolerant once established.