Freesia
This bulb provides stunning flowers year after year while located in my pot of African iris. While the Freesia bulbs are not supposed to survive in regions colder than Zone 9, mine has survived in Zone 8 for several years now. It is important to leave the foliage after the plant has stopped blooming, so it will produce nutrients for the following year. Source: volunteer
Phacelia viscida
This annual produces stunning true-blue flowers over a long period in the spring. The plants do best in part shade and should be kept moist. Source: Annie’s Annuals.
Alogyne huegelii
The blue hibiscus never ceases to bring me joy. Its lavender blue flowers only last a day or two, but the plant produces them in great profusion. Experts advise pruning the plant in the late spring after the main flower production has finished. One downside of growing the plant in my area is that it will not tolerate hard frosts. I solve this problem by bringing it inside when it gets cold here. Source: Windmill Nursery (Buellton).
Clivia miniata
As a native of South Africa, this evergreen perennial should only be watered sparingly and kept in a dry spot. It does not do well in humid environments or direct sun. Left in the shade, it produces its stunning flowers in the late winter or early spring. Unless you live in zones 9 through 11, this plant should be overwintered inside. Source: Logee’s
Anybody who knows me realizes that I am rabid about growing plants. In addition to those in my greenhouse and house, I have about 130 plants in containers on my back patio (so the dog cannot dig them up). The view from my desk is divine!
As a child, I read every book I could get my hands on that described rare and greenhouse plants. I could only dream of plants that I could not grow living in Delaware. Now that I live in the Santa Ynez Valley in California, I am in horticultural heaven and grow plants that I always desired like Plumbago and Agapanthus.
Never content with my collection, I am constantly enticed by new varieties of flowering plants. While my neighbors are very generous about sharing plants, I discover many of my new beauties from mail order nursery catalogs and websites.
These are some of the plants I have discovered that grow well in containers and flower profusely on the central coast of California. I also list the nurseries that provided them. I am not receiving any financial compensation for recommending these nurseries. I just want to share my sources of exciting new plants.
Outdoor Plants
Nicotiana alata “Grandiflora”
This tender perennial is an old-fashioned gem. Its gorgeous white flowers open in the evening and remain open until the morning. They smell divine! The plant prefers shade, but will tolerate small amounts of sun and likes to be moist. It survives mild frosts. Source: Annie’s Annuals.
Diascia integerrima
Hardy Twinspur plant grows well and flowers in containers from spring through fall. This perennial likes full sun and well-drained soil and survives freezes. Source: Annie’s Annuals
Lycoris squamigera
Much to my delight, this stunning flower already grew in a shaded spot on our property. Known as the resurrection or surprise lily, leaves emerge in the spring and then die back. Long after you have forgotten about it, the flowers emerge. This member of the amaryllis family is highly drought tolerant.
Tibouchina urvilleana
Aptly known as the princess flower, this plant flourishes in containers in the sun and blooms profusely throughout the warmer months. While it is highly invasive in Hawaii, Tibouchina is more restrained in other parts of the country. The plant is tropical and does not tolerate frost. It is better suited for houses or greenhouses in much of the country.
Moraea grandiflora
African iris plants are hardy through zone 8b and are drought tolerant once established. The plants produce stunning flowers that last for a couple of days. Deadheading the spent blooms will prolong the flower season, and leaving the flower stalks on the plants will result in more flowers being produced. Source: volunteer from Santa Barbara
Phacelia viscida
This annual produces stunning true-blue flowers over a long period in the spring. The plants do best in part shade and should be kept moist. Source: Annie’s Annuals.
Anagallis monellii
The Blue Pimpernel produces bright blue 1” flowers over the course of the year. It has reseeded reliably for me (although not too aggressively) and is a plant that I can rely on year after year. Requires little or no water once established. Source: Annie’s Annuals.
Alogyne huegelii
The blue hibiscus never ceases to bring me joy. It’s lavender blue flowers only last a day or two, but the plant produces them in great profusion. Experts advise pruning the plant in the late spring after the main flower production has finished. One downside of growing the plant in my area is that it will not tolerate hard frosts. I solve this problem by bringing it inside when it gets cold here. Source: Windmill Nursery (Buellton).
Freesia
This bulb provides stunning flowers year after year while located in my pot of African iris. While the Freesia bulbs are not supposed to survive in regions colder than Zone 9, mine has survived in Zone 8 for several years now. It is important to leave the foliage after the plant has stopped blooming, so it will produce nutrients for the following year. Source: volunteer
Houseplants
Adenium obesum
Desert Rose flourishes best when ignored in a sunny spot. Since it is originally from Madagascar, this type of plant should be left dry and watered infrequently. It rewards this care with stunning blooms. Source: Logee’s
Clivia miniata
As a native of South Africa, this evergreen perennial should only be watered sparingly and kept in a dry spot. It does not do well in humid environments or direct sun. Left in the shade, it produces its stunning flowers in the late winter or early spring. Source: Logee’s