Cool Annuals for Plant Geeks

     The cooler evenings of August have us contemplating interesting annuals for next season's garden. For all you fellow plant geeks out there looking for some exciting drama in your life, here are some of our favorite new annuals (most zone 7-10) sure to steal the summer garden spotlight.

Eupatorium capillifolium

     This Eupatorium  capillifolium is a textured wonder. It is fast growing, tall and feathery soft to the touch. Someone probably asks about it on display in a large pot at the nursery at least twice a day.

Amicia zygomeris

     This Amicia has great color, texture and pendulous foliage with incredible movement in the fall breeze.  It is also quite tall and gets a lot of attention at the nursery.

Salvia madrensis "Red Neck Girl"

     You may have seen this tall striking sage growing in a friend(who's in the know)'s garden. It has huge soft foliage and bold striped stems. A real stunner in or out of bloom.

Leonotis leonurus

      This Leonotis looks almost unearthly. It grows tall and lush and then starts throwing out these wild spikey blooms that just seem to get cooler as they go to seed. Truly a unique find, this one really is a plant geek's dream come true.

Iochroma tubulosa

     This Iochroma has sturdy woody stems and prolific bunched blooms. And I bet no one else you know is growing it. Plant geek heaven.

Salvia cacaliifolia

     And finally, this Salvia cacaliifolia always sells out of stock at the farm, so be sure to get some early in the season. People love the bright color of it's cerulean blue blossoms against the bright green foliage. This one on display at the farm has been blooming since May.

     Check back soon for a new post about our explorations in growing interesting vegetable varieties. It's been a very fruitful summer!