ANNUALS WHICH BENEFIT FROM PINCHING
To encourage plants to fill out, the growth bud should be pinched at the end of the stem. For bedding plants, is during the time when you’re planting in the garden. The removal of leggy foliage will help balance the plant and help in the transplanting process.
Simply pinch out or cut off the last inch of the largest growing tip. This will place the plant’s energy from leggy shoot to numerous side buds.
These are some plants which will benefit from pinching:
Ageratum (Ageratum Houstonianum)
Ageratum are small plants grown as annuals with a dense growth habit. Flowers are rounded clusters borne from midsummer until first frost. Leaves are oval, downy and have heart-shaped bases. The cultivar, ‘Blue Mink’, has pale blue flowerheads and a somewhat open growth habit. Excellent bedding, container or houseplant. Contains cumarin, and may irritate mucous membranes..
Browallia
Fast growing perennial, often grown as an annual. Large trumpet-shaped blue flowers, oval dark green leaves. Minimum temperature in winter is 39F.
Important Info : Poisonous.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) or Pot-marigold
‘Touch of Red’ takes it’s name from the russet-tones at the edges of each petal. The predonminant colors of each small flower are in the more pale yellow and tangerine tones.Cheery yellow or orange, single or double daisy-like blooms 2 inches to 4 inches across, flower non-stop from late fall through spring in areas with milder winters. A carefree choice for spring and early summer color in colder climates. Bright yellow, double, somewhat branching, leaves are narrow and long, with rounded ends. Long asting cut flowers. Easily sown directly into soil in late summer or early fall (milder climates). Will do fine in moist soil, but requires good drainage.
Chrysanthemum, Annual
Petunia
Petunias prefer full sunlight, but will bloom in partial shade. They will thrive in rather dry soil if this is well enriched, and also upon soil either too rich or too poor for most annuals, if the moisture conditions are right. Thus one may see that the Petunia is most adaptable.
Phacelia
A unique annual with beautiful blue, upward pointing, bell-shaped flowers. Leaves are coarsely toothed and dark green, up to 2 inches long. Habit is compact, erect and intricately branched. The fragrant flowers on this plant attract bees. Requires well-drained soil and full sun. Deep waterings help extend bloom season. May directly sow seed into soil in late fall or early spring. Can be started in pots too.
Phlox
Pinks (Dianthus chinensis)
Salpiglossis (Salpiglossis sinuata)
Schizanthus (Schizanthus. pinatus)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
Verbena
Zinnia
Information on 50+ annual flowers
