Kansas gardeners and garden lovers alike take some things for granted.
In Lawrence, for example, we have come to expect the pink blooms of redbud trees and the white blossoms of the Bradford pear trees throughout the town in spring.
We take advantage of the few weeks in early summer to plant, weed and enjoy our garden. Gardeners have learned that this is the best time to work in the garden before the intense heat of July and August chases us indoors.
We also count on some plants to return to our gardens every year; they have become garden staples.
It wouldn't be Kansas if we didn't pay homage to sunflowers in our gardens. To be sure, sunflowers dominate the area. In fact, nearly 80 species of annuals and perennials find homes in dry areas and prairies throughout the Western Hemisphere. Their showy flower heads are borne atop tall, sturdy stems. Smaller varieties, such as Teddy Bear, are more suited to containers.
These easy to grow plants are a favorite with children. Tiny fingers easily handle the large sunflower seeds. And, the fast growth of the flower, to heights that often double the size of the child, adds to the plant's popularity.
This year a stunning new variety, Sunflower Earthwalker, should find its way into many gardens. The tall, strong stemmed plant is vigorous with side branching.
Earthwalker is a multi-headed sunflower that flowers in abundance. The blooms are brown and terra-colored flowers with wide, dark centers. They are easily arranged as cut flowers. This unusual variety is a trendy addition to the home gardener's range.
Closer to the ground
Not nearly as tall as Earthwalker, yet just as stunning, is the Viola Gemini Purple and Yellow. These vigorous little charmers make a big impact during spring and fall, showing slightly larger flowers than most violas.
Viola Gemini Purple and Yellow has new color combinations: purple and yellow, and purple and white. The foliage is deep green, making a wonderful contrast against its flowers for the spring garden.
These profusely blooming plants mound to about 8 inches and look terrific hanging in baskets, too.
If you are looking for a rich mixture of tightly clustered semi-double and double flowers, Phlox Mount Hampden Mixture is ideal. The flowers bloom in warm colors of white, salmon pink and red over a long blooming period.
Mount Hampden Mixture is bred to be genetically compact with base branching. Unlike some phlox varieties, it is weather resistant. You may not find a better semi-double variety for bedding, borders and containers this year.
The trouble with many plants is that once their first spectacular bloom has faded, gardeners must wait another year to see the blooms again. Not so with the new Dianthus Bouquet Purple. These delightful plants are known as "cut and come again" plants. After each cutting, the plant pops up with a bouquet of soft lavender flowers and keeps up the showing all summer long. This beauty looks great in garden beds and makes a terrific cut flower, too.
Bouquet Purple is a tall and strong stemmed plant with an open lacy look and a soft fragrance.
Getting an earful
Finally, Kansas vegetable gardens are bound to be planted with plenty of sweet corn. It's another of those things we simply expect.
Plus, our taste buds eagerly await the harvest. Whether we prefer to bite into crisp yellow or sugary white kernels, sweet corn is a must.
This year, Sweet Satin is available from Harris Seeds. Improved sweetness and eating quality combined with Sweet Breed (TM) seed makes this variety an excellent choice for the white sweet corn lover.
The 8-inch well-filled ears have a refined kernel. The sturdy plants have excellent disease tolerance.
Thanks to the National Garden Bureau we have been able to see what's new for 2001.
Look for all the new varieties of flowers and vegetables mentioned in the last several weeks in seed catalogues and at local garden centers this spring.
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