Your most common flower questions… answered simply.
Q: Why are my petunias getting long and leggy?
A: They’re usually asking for a haircut.
By midsummer, petunias often stretch out and put energy into stems instead of flowers. Trim them back by about 1/3, fertilize, and they’ll usually bounce back fuller with more blooms.
Q: My hanging baskets dry out SO fast. Is that normal?
A: Completely normal. Hanging baskets dry much faster than flower beds or larger pots, especially during summer heat. In July, some baskets may even need water twice a day.
A good rule: If the basket feels lightweight, it probably needs water.
Q: What does “full sun” actually mean?
A: At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plants like petunias, lantana, geraniums, and angelonia LOVE it. But remember: Afternoon sun is much hotter and stronger than morning sun, especially in containers and on patios.
Q: Why are my annuals flowering less than when I bought them?
A: Most annuals are heavy feeders.
Plants like petunias, calibrachoa, verbena, and hanging baskets need regular fertilizer to keep blooming well. If flowers slow down, plants look pale, or growth stalls…they’re usually hungry.
We recommend Fertilome Blooming & Rooting.
Q: My plant is wilting… but the soil is wet. Why?
A: Too much water can look just like too little water.
If soil stays constantly wet, roots struggle to breathe. Yellowing leaves and drooping despite wet soil are common signs of overwatering.
Always check the soil before watering.
Q: Which annuals handle shade best?
A: Some flowers actually prefer relief from hot afternoon sun.
Good shade or part-shade choices:
- Impatiens
- Begonias
- Coleus
- Torenia
These tend to perform better in gentler light conditions.
Q: Do I really need to deadhead flowers?
A: Some plants yes. Others no. Deadheading helps many annuals continue blooming.
Usually helpful for:
- Geraniums
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
Usually self-cleaning:
- Supertunias
- Superbells
- Lobularia
Q: Why do plants struggle more later in summer?
A: Heat stress. By July and August, containers heat up quickly, soil dries faster, and plants use more energy producing flowers.
This is usually when:
- watering increases
- fertilizer matters most
- trimming becomes important
Q: What’s the biggest secret to better annuals?
A: Consistency.
Consistent watering.
Consistent feeding.
Occasional trimming.
That’s usually the difference between flowers surviving… and flowers thriving all summer long.
@whiteoakgardens