Planting is an “annual” Columbus Park of Roses tradition

The raised bed of annuals just east of the shelterhouse patio is fun to watch as it fills out over the growing season. Each spring, the CPOR garden supervisor designs a dramatic combination of plant colors and shapes to greet visitors. Garden volunteers assisted with this year’s planting on May 18.

The 2021 floral selection included:

Truffula Pink, Gomphrena pulchella: This tough and durable plant is easy to care for. This is a large plant, and needs sufficient elbow room for it to grow. It does not need to be deadheaded, in fact, as the flowers age they continue to have great presence on the plant. This plant is well branched and will tend to keep mounding up on itself. It is great for use in large containers and combinations as well as in landscapes. It can be used as dried and cut flowers as well.

Blue Hummingbird Sage, Salvia guaranitica: This plant is native to a broad range of South America. This salvia blooms solidly for 4-6 weeks in summer with cobalt blue flowers and near black stems and calyces. Blooming can be extended by snipping off spent flower stems to encourage more flowering (deadheading). Bees and hummingbirds love this plant.

Petunia Crazytunia Black Mamba: This has been said to be the best black petunia, and for good reason! It is a strong, fast grower that offers non-stop color all season long. The eye-catching Crazytunia flowers are self-cleaning, love the heat, and have excellent weather tolerance. They will not go straggly, no trimming needed. Just plant and enjoy!

Superbena Royale Chambray, Verbena hybrid. This award winning plant is vigorous and mounded, but will trail over the sides of containers. This verbena will function as both a spiller and filler in combination planters and is best planted at the front of landscape beds. They will bloom earlier in the season and more easily produceable in smaller containers than regular Superbena varieties