annuals
If a shady area is a problem, try impatiens, as you can see from the picture they are beautiful. This annual grows its best in shade, yielding many bright flowers on compact, lush plants. Choose from many colors, basic...my favorite is red. The flowers also have single or double blooms and grow 6 to 18 inches tall/10 to 24 inches across. Impatiens look good in hanging baskets and pots. I use them in pots all over my front porch. They bloom all summer and fall until a hard freeze hits. Hardy in zones 10, all other areas treat as a tender annual. Thrives in warm and hot weather.
When perennials and bulbs are coming up or dying out, any annual of choice will provide a constant source of color and instant beauty. They will bloom all summer if deadheaded regularly.

Here are a few other annuals for you to try in your gardens-zinnia, marigold, cosmos, moss rose, sweet alyssum, larkspur, periwinkle, lisianthus, cornflower, blue daisy, snapdragon, begonias, poppies, petunia.

Here are some links about impatiens.

Britannica
Homepage with some pretty pictures
MGOnline
Click below for Annuals.
Annuals

perennials
For all those sunny to semi-sunny areas, Lantana is a wonderful perennial. Although sometimes considered a low growing shrub, the size proves it to be a wonderful accent plant. It grows to 10 to 12 inches tall and spreads to form a matt covered in bunches of small flowers with bright green leaves. Choose from colors of pink, red, purple, yellow and some even have colors mixed. Yellow is my favorite. Blooms all summer through fall. Hardy perennial in zones 8-11. A hard freeze will kill the top plant, but come spring it will grow back from the roots.
Choose any perennial for their beautiful blooms and foliage. They will also return year after year, bigger and better. Plant some for all seasons.

Here are the names of a few perennials-yarrow, coneflower, hollyhock, astilbe, butterfly weed, basket-of-gold, boltonia, bellflower, bergenia, campanula, coreopsis, corydalis, sweet william, delphinium, foxglove, blanketflower, daylilies, hostas, coralbells, iris, shasta daisy, sundrops, phlox.
Here are some lantana links.

Britannica
Image of a beautiful lantanaplant
Desert Tropicals
Click below for Perennials.
Perennials

vines & groundcovers
An old fashioned climber with scarlet, red flowers and leaves 3-5" long is the scarlet runner bean. It even has edible bean pods; I usually save those for planting next year. This bean plant quickly covers fences and trellises (instant beauty in your yard). Plant seeds in early spring- 2" inches deep in a sunny location. Hardy in zones 9 to 11, all other areas treat as an annual.
For your garden, vines and groundcovers are versatile and beautiful. They provide a decorative touch with their evergrowing ways, above and below. Vines take up very little space and groundcovers serve as a mulch, prevents erosion, and are easy to care for.

Here are some vines and groundcovers-kolomikta vine, five-leaf akebia, dutchman's vine, climbing snapdragon, trumpet vine, clematis, cup-and-saucer vine, english ivy, climbing fig, carolina jessamine vine, cardinal climber, silver lace vine, black-eyed susan vine; ground covers, wild ginger, plumbago, sweet woodruff, english ivy, creeping juniper, creeping lilyturf, creeping charlie, ajuga reptans and vinca minor.

Here are some links to more info on beans.

Britannica
Victory Seeds
Botany
Click below for Vines & Groundcovers.
Climbing Plants
Groundcovers


For all the plants I have listed or any plant, always
check out their best growing conditions and areas.

gardening thoughts
In all things of nature there is something marvelous.
-Aristotle

A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace to the soul.
-Sadi

Cares melt away when you kneel in the dirt.

If you have a mind at peace,
a heart that cannot harden,
go find a door that opens wide
upon a lovely garden.

One who plants a garden, plants happiness.

When we love we grow.

A beautiful garden is a work of art.

Gardens are good for the soul.

Every flower about a house certifies to the refinement of somebody.
Every vine and flower blossoming tells of love and joy.
-Robert G. Ingersoll


Here are a few gardening links for you to enjoy.
Gardening @About.com So much about Gardening

Virtual Gardening Garden.com Better Homes and Gardens

Add our Gardening site to your favorites!

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