Granted, I had early exposure to the concept but it never ceases to amaze me how a seed the size of dust becomes a gorgeous blooming plant – as do some of the 2 foot “Big” wax begonias do.  I also enjoy the challenge of growing unique and unusual annuals in our New Hampshire climate.  Thanks to a landscaper friend who challenged me thirty-plus years ago to raise his special requests or unique colors of some common plants I’m willing to try most any plant from seed.

 

   I still raise all the usual suspects – geraniums, marigolds, petunias, impatiens, pansies, and the like but you’ll also find agastache, ptilotus, Mexican heather, evolvulus, and mecardonia.  The variety isn’t limited to the flowers either as I raise a fun variety of tomatoes and some REALLY HOT peppers.

 

 

Fuchsias are perhaps the original hummingbird plant (and I have those) but new on the scene are cupheas and large blooming salvias.  Red is not the only color to attract either as many of the salvias come in striking blues, purple, and magenta.  The cuphea and salvia have long, tubular flowers that hinder other pollinators from reaching the nectar – perfect for the hummers long beak!  But there are plenty of other choices for the rest of the pollinators.  Zinnias, snapdragons, marigolds, impatiens and even herbs that bloom later in the season such as creeping thyme.  There are numerous possibilities.