Specialty Annuals Herbs Vegetables Caring for Annuals Choosing Annuals Russell's sells live plants only from our store, in Wayland, Massachusetts; we do not ship plants. Please visit us for quality plants, cared for by expert staff, and good old-fashioned friendly service. These are some of our favorites: Cleome dwarf "Sparkler" series- only 3.5-4" (Shown: "Sparkler Lavender") Gomphrena "Woodcreek" series- 24" (Shown: "Woodcreek Carmine") Viola (Pansy) "Dynamite" series- 6-8" Viola "Accord: Black Beauty"- Black! Back to Top Specialty Annuals We hope you will find the special annual that completes your garden. Our coleus selection alone—over 40 varieties—is sure to please. Tropicals like Alocasia (Elephant Ear Plant), Brugmansia (Angel's Trumpet), Colocasia (Taro, 'Illustris' is shown above), Ipomea (Sweet Potato Vine), Ruellia (False Petunia), and Strobilanthus (Persian Shield) are just a few specialty plants. Look for the "Bodacious Temperennials" line from Sunny Border Nursery. Let us know what you are looking for, and we will see if we can find it for you. Back to Top Vegetables Russell's carries the newest varieties, and many heirloom varieties, of vegetables. Stop in to see our selection. We grow our own certified-organic vegetables! We recognize the growing demand for organics, and we support any reduction in the use of synthetic chemicals. We also feature specialty vegetables—unusual, heirloom, and non-certified-organic items. All of our own organically-grown vegetables are available in 4” pots. We bring in several tomato varieties from other local organic growers. These include, but are not limited to, the following, depending on availability: Black Prince Prudens Purple Rose Striped German Back to Top	Care of Annuals Soil preparation is the key to a successful garden. Soil that is too light or sandy can be improved by adding organic matter in the form of manure or compost. Heavy clay soils can also be improved by the addition of organic matter and gypsum. Apply lime at a rate of 6-10 lbs. per 100 sq.ft. Apply fertilizer at planting time and again after 5-7 weeks. We have many choices of fertilizer. We encourage using organics that build up the soil for the future. Most organics need a supplement of superphosphate at 2 lbs. per 100sq.ft. Whatever you choose, please feed your plants—it makes a difference. Loosen soil to a depth of 8-12". This mixes in the lime and nutrients and allows roots to spread. Plant annuals and water thoroughly and carefully. Choose a nice day to plant, one that is not windy, cold, or extremely hot, and when no bad or cold weather is forecast. Frequent watering of newly-planted gardens is necessary. Once the garden is established, gradually lengthen the intervals between very-thorough waterings. Using mulch helps conserve water. ABOUT FROST DANGER The latest frost date in this area ranges from May 10 to June 5. Low and open valleys get the latest frosts. The higher or more sheltered areas (protected either by a roof or trees) are safe the earliest. Here at Russell's, there is a low, open pocket that is not safe from frost until June 5. Just 600 feet away, on higher ground under a tree, is an area that can be planted safely on May 15. Coastal areas are generally safe about May 1-10. Pansies, perennials, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, and peas can stand a lot of frost and are usually safe for planting about April 10-25. Cucumbers, eggplant, melon, squash, tomatoes, ageratum, begonias, dahlia, annual geranium, impatiens, marigolds, salvia, and zinnia will not tolerate frost. Be prepared to cover these, if you wish to rush the season. Impatiens Impatiens are part-shade lovers, but newer varieties have increased sun tolerance. Just like you and I, they appreciate protection from the sun between 11 am and 4 pm. If you provide this, they will be more dwarflike, sturdy, and colorful. Planting close together causes all varieties of impatiens to grow taller, as does increased shade. Providing more sun and wider spacing of plants makes them more compact, and they blossum more profusely. In heavily shaded areas, we recommend that you plant impatiens already in bloom, as green plants may not blossom in that much shade. There are four main series of impatiens. Accent and Dazzler are dwarf. Showstopper and Super Elfin are slightly taller and more vigorous. Here at Russell's, we arrange impatiens by color, rather than size or variety. We grow our impatiens in small and large six-packs. Our small six-packs are larger than those of most other growers, and our larger packs are, to the best of our knowledge, a Russell's exclusive. We recommend these packs. The plants are much fuller and larger, and can be planted further apart. They save you time and money, and they provide you with a better, more colorful garden. Back to Top Choosing Annuals Annuals Good for Cutting: sold as 6-packs Ageraturm "Blue Horizon" Gomphrena "Woodcreek" series Aster "Matsumoto" series Back to Top