Winter time is fast approaching, and it is the ideal time for you to spruce up your business with different annual varieties that will complement your commercial landscaping.
An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in just one year. Hardy annuals are able to withstand frost and can even continue to bloom and seed into the following year. Annuals will allow you to transform and spruce up your garden every year.
China Aster
China Aster is an annual that is very easy to grow and has large flowers spanning between three and five inches. They come in a variety of colors including pink, purple, red, and white. They require rich soil that is well-drained and moderate watering. They should also be fertilized regularly.
They are generally pretty minimal maintenance, and if needed, can even grow inside of containers.
Ornamental Cabbage
Ornamental Cabbage can grow to be approximately one foot wide and up to fifteen inches in height. The leaves of this plant are what provide its color and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
They will thrive in either full sun or partial shade and actually don’t even develop their full and complete colors until they are exposed to cooler temperatures during a frost. As the weather becomes cooler, the colors will become more intense.
When many are grown together in groups, it can drastically enhance the appearance of any commercial landscaping design.
Mums
For mums to thrive in the winter months, they should be properly insulated during fall. When a frost hits the area, the leaves can die and then become brown in color. Once this has happened, it is important that you cut the stems to approximately three to four inches above the ground.
Mums during the winter months should have some added protection for their roots and the crown of the plants which means they should not be pruned until after the first frost. Then cover the base with mulch for added protection.
Pansies
Pansies are one of the most popular and most common cool weather annuals, and are very easy to grow. The pansies will ideally bloom in full sun to partial shade, and they do not like heat which is why they thrive in cooler months.
Most varieties of pansies can grow to be between four to eight inches in height and can spread between eight and twelve inches. In zones seven and above, they can be grown throughout the winter.
To spruce up your commercial landscaping, pansies can be used for edging and can also be used along paths. They offer a variety of colors and will compliment the landscape design during the winter months.
