The term annual isn’t very appropriate in our climate where gardeners change their containers several times a year. This list includes primarily tender plants but also plants that shine in specific seasons.
Agapetes serpens Zn9a (20º to 25ºF) Ericaceae
A tender ericaceous shrub with long arching stems and in early spring dramatic pendulous blood red flowers on the previous years' wood. Part shade to shade and can remain in the same pot for years. Good porch plant that can be brought into the house or cold greenhouse with a hard freeze threatens. Water when dry.
Develops a gnarled bonsai-like trunk with age. Acid fertilizer. May also be grown in a hanging basket.
Agapetes x ‘Ludgvan Cross’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Ericaceae
A subtropical plant related to Rhododendrons and Blueberries. To 30" tall and arching. A superlative container plant enduring much neglect. Shade and occasional water, if you remember. Drooping 1" red/white stripped flowers appear spring to early summer. Easy container plant. Hardiest Agapetes to cold and may be attempted in the ground in shady, protected locations otherwise protect in a freeze-free location.
Begonia luxurians Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Begoniaceae
Luxuriant cane-type begonia with excellent palmate leaves that droop dramatically for lovely effect. Indirect light to light shade outdoors. Tough enough to use as an accent in a seasonal container and easy enough as a house plant. Let it go a little dry between waterings during the cool season. Water and fertilize during the growing season. White flowers are nice, but not the point. 30" tall and half as wide.
Begonia maculata ‘Polka Dot’ Zn10b (35º to 40ºF) Begoniaceae
If there was a more perfect plant for a Martini lounge I’d like to see it. Arrow shaped leaves are red underneath on the green top there are perfectly round
white dots. A cane-type that can grow up to 3’ in a single season. Small pink/white flowers are not the point. A strange aspect of this plant is that the polka-dots may be rubbed off with your finger. Unfortanately, they won’t reappear.
Begonia ‘Torch’ Zn10a (30º to 35ºF) Begoniaceae
A dramatic begonia that can be used as an outdoor seasonal plant or as a house plant. To 18" tall with scimitar shaped maroon leaves and curtains of brilliant coral flowers spring until fall. Part shade in rich, but well drained soil. Water when the soil is dry and add liquid fertilizer to the water every other time you water during growing season. Pinch if it becomes leggy.
Begonia ‘Tuberous Xera Hybrids’ Zn8b (15º to 20ºF) Begoniaceae
A lovely hybrid backcross with the species Begonia boliviensis. Upright tiered dark leaves and single scoop shaped flowers in vivid melon shades. Part shade to shade with regular water and fertilizer. Haslett Hybrid.
Calandrinia grandiflora Zn9a (20º to 15ºF) Crassulaceae
A rosette forming succulent that is very closely related to Portulaca or Moss Rose and thrives in the same conditions. Full sun with well drained soil and occasional summer water. Excellent in containers or very hot window boxes. Eventually forms a trunk, much like a Jade Plant. Blooms non-stop from May until frost. Scapes with large buds open to 2" pearly pink flowers. Don't remove the scape, it will produce flowers for weeks.
Coleus - Link
Collomia grandiflora HA Polemoniaceae
Amazing that this NATIVE annual is not found in more gardens. Related to Phlox and throughout summer produces incredibly colored sherbet orange, apricot flowers on 2' stems. Very few flowers are this color. Great in containers or in borders where it can reseed in open disturbed soil. Full sun to light shade, regular water to keep going. Best to view in the wild around Mt. Adams and east of Mt. Hood.
Cuphea ‘Strybing Sunset’ Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Lythraceae
Wow! A fantastic annual Cuphea with soft leaves and brilliant flourescent orange flowers that appear all season long. To 20” tall and as wide . Great container plant and soft and wild (looking) so that it is a natural looking plant for seasonal bedding out. Full sun to light shade in rich soil that drains well. Regular irrigation in the summer. A gift from the
very talented garden designer Rick Serazin. Thanks Rick!
Cuphea ignea ‘David Verity’ Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Lythraceae
A very long blooming "Cigar Plant" or "Firecracker Plant" that is known for its large habit, to 2' tall and 18" wide in a season and produces its orange flowers each with a purple ring and a white tip. Wonderful in containers sun tolerant Coleus 'Alabama Sunset' .Full sun to part shade. Regular water. Blooms June to frost. Works well as a large bedded out annual.
Cuphea ignea ‘White’ Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Lythraceae
subtle little "Cigar Plant" with tubular shaped, cool, white flowers that are infused with light green. This makes it a perfect partner in containers with white and green flowered plants. To only 8" tall and as wide it blooms continuously from May until frost. Part shade to full sun with regular water and fertilizer. A very soothing color that works well with others.
Cuphea ignea ‘Variegata’ Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Lythraceae
A tough and showy annual with leaves splashed with yellow and bright orange tubular flowers with a rim of dark purple at the tips. Spreading to 16" wide and only 10" tall, for part shade or full sun. Excellent in containers. Blooms continuously from May until frost. Sheds old flowers cleanly. Fertilize regularly.
Xera Plants introduction
Cynoglossum ‘Viva Gold’ HA Boriginaceae
Our own introduction of a gold leaved version of the common "Chinese- Forget-Me-Not". Excellent bright foliage contrasts with bright blue flowers that appear from May until frost. part shade, regular water and remove spent flowers for more to appear. 18". Scintillating. Protect from slugs. Seasonal plant.
Laurentia axillaris ‘Blue Star’ Zn9a (20º to 25ºF) Campanulaceae
This tender perennial is a Campanula relative from Australia and is best used as a seasonal plant in our climate. Finely serrated foliage is an excellent backdrop to the periwinkle blue flowers which appear from June until frost. May live over in a mild year. Great in containers. To 8" tall and as wide. Full sun, regular soil. Very fragrant in full sun. Non-stop profuse bloomer.
Manettia luteorubra Zn9a (20º to 25ºF) Rubiaceae
A very cool little annual vine that puts on a continual display of neon 'KandyKorn' flowers all the way until frost. Full sun to part shade and regular water. A twiner that climbs anything and will cover a 3' x 3' trellis in a season. Fast, continous growth harmlessly attaches to other plants and twines around. Will trail over the edge of containers. Hummingbirds love it. Loves liquid fertilizer every two weeks in summer.
Mirabalis jalapa ‘Pink Tomato’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Nyctaginaceae
Flowers of a lovely tomato red overlain with a sheen of pink make this distinctive Four 'O Clock one of our favorites. Full sun and well drained soil with occasional summer water. To 30" tall and forming a clump. May be left in the ground as a tender perennial or lifted and stored like a dahlia. Good in containers. Flowers are deliciously fragrant at night.
Nicotiana alata HA Solanaceae
A very vigorous reseeding hardy annual that rises up to about 3' tall and bears
white flowers which are powerfully fragrant only at night. It wouldn't be summer withoutthe delicious fragrance of this plant. Sun or part shade in moist soil, and will reseed to form colonies in the ground. A good annual to try where deer are a problem. South America.
Nicotiana alata ‘Lime Green’ HA Solanaceae
A hardy annual with exciting lime green flowers that are fragrant at night. Full sun to part shade in rich soil with regular water. Blooms May until frost.
Remove spent flower heads to encourage more. To 30" tall. EXCELLENT container plant. Combines very nicely with light blue flowers such as Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue'. Reseeds somewhat in disturbed soil. Great en masse. May behave as a perennial in mild winters- above 20∞F.
Nicotiana ‘Tinkerbelle’ HHA Solanaceae
A great flowering tobacco that is compact and extremely floriferous. To only 8" tall it sports flowers that are green bells with an interior, or front, of pink from May until frost. Full sun to light shade and rich soil with regular water. Lightly fragrant at night. Excellent container combo plant, especially with blue flowers, such as Lobelia or Salvia. Demands so little, gives so much. Easy.
Oxalis vulcanicola ‘Copper Glow’ Zn9a (20º to 25ºF) Oxalidaceae
A very pretty foliage plant that is excellent in containers where it will make a cushion of copper foliage, and in time, trail over the edge. Part shade to full sun with regular water in rich soil. In summer occasional yellow flowers. Tolerates adverse conditions well. To 5" tall and spreading. Sometimes makes it through mild winters. A good Oxalis. Red and orange intensifies as the season progresses.
Plectranthus argentatus Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Lamiaceae
A spectacular foliage plant with quilted silver leaves on strong stems, that is excellent in containers. Spikes of small light blue flowers appear in mid to late
summer. To 3' tall and as wide, may be pinched to control. Full sun to part shade,
regular water and fertilizer. Looks great with petunias, lobelia and softens the look of other plants considerably.
Plectranthus argentatus ‘Hill House’ Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Lamiaceae
As for the above but with leaves edged in cream. Beautiful contrast plant for containers or bedding out. Very classy.
Salpiglossis a Xera Favorite Solanaceae
We LOVE Salpiglossis and find them to be one of the prettiest flowers of all. They are closely related to Petunias, but they have different requirements. They are best grown in a cool position with plenty of sun. What is that you say? An open north exposure. Wonderful container plants in RICH, well drained soil with regular applications of fertilizer. They LOVE fish fertilizer. Remove spent flowers to encourage more- we suggest using clippers or even scissors. They have sticky leaves. Salpiglossis should be shielded from strong winds. All of this for the queen of annual flowers. (saul-pih-GLOSS-iss)
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Cherry Springer’ HHA Solanaceae
Deep cherrywood blooms. To 20". Regular water and fertilizer and remove spent flowers to encourage more. Makes a nice cut flower. And it won't say NukeUlar or fling hub-caps at you or even beat you over the head with a Hippity Hop infront of your trailer.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Near Black’ HHA Solanaceae
The darkest flower color yet for Salpiglossis, 'Near Black' is dark, dark brown with a golden center. The flower seems to absorb light like a black hole stretching into infinity, smaller and smaller to an infinitely thin strand. OUCH! Full sun to part shade with regular water and fertilizer. Remove spent blossoms.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Periwinkle Ghost’ HHA Solanaceae
Extra large flowers in spooky and intoxicating colors. Periwinkle edges fade slowly to gray revealing the inner throat of purple and brown. No other flower combines these colors.. To 16" tall for full sun to light shade and regular water and fertilizer. Remove spent flowers so more will appear. Dislikes hot, reflected heat.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘PurpleStar Galactica’ HHA Solanaceae
Reaching heights up to 30" 'Purple Star Galactica' is out of this world with deep purple petals and inner marking that make it look like your entering hyperspace-being chased by HOT clones and trying to outwit BALTAR the traitor...mmm, serious geek territory. Never was the end of an imaginary world so sexy... Remove spent flowers.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Rental Carpet’ HHA Solanaceae
The benchmark in Salpiglossis- get it? Benches, brown? heh, oh. Compact flowering annual with rich, 70's era condominium rug brown flowers. Say that 3 x
fast. To only 18" tall and blooming all summer. Full sun (but not reflected heat) For those tender souls who appreciate something different- lock step conformity makes for a boring decade. Regular water and fertilizer love. Remove spent flowers.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Rodeo Princess’ HHA Solanaceae
YEEEEEE HAW this little philly is hot pink with veins of pink, purple and violet streaked with yella. You never saw her comin' .To only 14" tall for full sun to light shade with regular water and fertililzer. Remove spent blossoms to encourage more.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘St. Xera’ HHA Solanaceae
Red Mahogany like the wood inbetween the windows of a giant gothic cathedral with yellow light glowing through the windows. 'Saint Xera' is a compact Salpiglossis to only 20" tall and blooms continuously until frost. Full sun to part shade in rich soil with regular water. Remove spent flowers.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Tiger Eye’ HHA Solanaceae
Brilliant honey gold overlain with deep chestnut brown veining. Its like looking into a Tiger's eye. To 16" tall for full sun to light shade and regular water and fertilizer.
Don't worry honey, this kitty don't bite. Remove spent blossoms to encourage more.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Tina’s Miniskirt’ HHA Solanaceae
The lips, the hair- that deep plum leather miniskirt OH TINA! Rich burgundy plum you could only achieve on dyed leather. Compact plant to only 15" tall. Regular water and fertilizer and remove spent flowers to encourage more. Full sun to part shade. OH NO, NOT THE '80s! Might be time to sport a side pony.
Xera Plants introduction
Salpiglossis ‘Vinyl’ HHA Solanaceae
So deep purple and with a sheen that is almost rubbery 'Vinyl' is one of the most intensely colored Salpiglossis. Compact free flowering plant to only 16" tall for full sun to light shade with regular water and fertilizer. Remove spent flowers to encourage more. Ooooo is it velvet? No baby, its Vinyl.
Salvia discolor Zn10a (30º to 35ºF) Lamiaceae
This amazing salvia from South America has the incredibly good taste to combine its silvery foliage and white stems with BLACK flowers. To 18" tall with a somewhat scandent habit it is excellent in containers in full hot sun. The leaves are a bit sticky so locate away from places where people might brush past. Tender to frost. Occasional water in summer.
Senecio confusus ‘My Fair Lady’ Zn10a (30º to 35ºF) Asteraceae
A very cool annual vine with arrow shaped purple leaves and profuse vivid orange daisy flowers from June until frost. Full sun to light shade, not bad in shade either. Trails more than it twines. Extremely cool in hanging containers. New leaves have a darker purplish tint. Regular water and fertilizer. Up to 6 ' long...or down.
Setcreasia purpurea ‘Purple Queen’ Zn8a (10º to 15ºF) Commelinaceae
A trailing plant best known for its dramatic purple foliage. Very pretty spilling out of containers. The lavender flowers add to the overall effect. Works well as a summer groundcover and seems to be hardier than once thought. Disappears in the fall completely-often returns in late spring. Full sun to part shade, and regular water. Very pretty with bold leaved Cannas. This has been a reliable perennial in my garden for 10 years.
Solanum pyracanthum Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Solanaceae
My tender perennial can kick your half hardy perennials' ass! A conspicuously armed member of the Tomato family with lobed felted leaves and dramatic prickly orange spines. To 3' tall and 2' wide with 1" purple flowers with a central yellow beak followed by orange fruits. Full sun to light shade with regular water and fertilizer. Great for containers, but locate away from traffic for obvious reasons. Pretty in an ominous way.
Tibouchina urvilleana Zn9b (25º to 30ºF) Melastomaceae
"Princess Flower" has become one of the most popular tropical woody plants because of its velvety foliage and huge clear purple flowers. To 3' tall and as wide in a season it will produce these flowers until a hard frost. May be brought in for the winter. Part shade to full sun and regular water and ample fertilizer. Remove spent flowers to encourage more. Nothing beats this purple.
‘Cherry Springer’
‘Periwinkle Ghost’
‘Purplestar Galactica’
‘Rental Carpet’
‘Vinyl’
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