What is the difference between annual and perennial?
In the case of annual cool-season weeds, you can skip the herbicide and just mow the weeds down occasionally. It is more important to treat if you have problems with cool-season perennial weeds, such as dollarweed, clover and oxalis. FERTILIZE IRISES ...
What's the difference between annual plants and perennials?
If you can't ever seem to remember which is which, use the following trick as a guide: 1
- The root in both words, "annual" and "perennial" (that is, per-annual) is the Latin word for "year," annus.
- Annual plants are thus those that last for a portion of but a single year (even in their native climates).
- Perennial plants have something extra: that "per" in their name. The per-prefix in Latin adds to what comes after it. ...
What is the difference between annual and perennial flowers?
Tips for Planting Annuals and Perennials
- Mix it up. In a garden just as in life, there is value to having variety. ...
- Pick the right spot. Read the plant label before deciding where you’re putting your new plants. ...
- Be patient. Most perennials are not going to “wow” you the first season. ...
- Do some maintenance. ...
How to plant Torenia?
Torenia Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Wishbone Flower”
- About Torenia. Torenia plants are native to several regions of Asia, with the widest distribution among the tropical monsoon and subtropical climate zones.
- Torenia Features: An Overview. Wishbone flowers belong to the Linderniaceae family of flowering plants. ...
- Growing Torenia. ...
- Planting Torenia. ...
- Watering Torenia. ...
- Propagating Torenia. ...
- In Conclusion. ...
See more
Does torenia come back every year?
Wishbone flowers (torenia) are annuals and do not come back every year.
Are wishbone flowers perennials?
While they are annuals and will die at the first fall frost, they grow quickly and bloom profusely from early summer until cold weather sets in. Moreover, the plants are deer-resistant and attractive to hummingbirds.
How do you keep torenia blooming?
Every month, feed your soil a nice compost to keep your torenia blooming bountifully. Also, pinch off the dying bounty of blooms each week to make room for new growth. To grow torenia in containers, use a rich, well draining soil. Water often enough to keep the soil moist.
Does torenia reseed?
Torenia is a reseeding annual with glabrous stems and narrow, oval shaped, toothed leaves. Each year the plant covers itself with blue or pink blooms that are followed by winged-shaped pods filled with the tiniest of seeds. This plant reseeds itself readily.
Does torenia spread?
Native to Asia and Africa, this bushy plant grows seven to 12 inches tall and spreads six to eight inches. But it's not aggressive or invasive, so there's no need to fear a takeover.
Can torenia be cut back?
Cut back old bedraggled foliage in early spring before new growth begins, using gardening shears. The foliage feeds the roots into winter and protects the crown of the plant from frost damage.
Can torenia grow in pots?
Torenia, also known as wishbone flower or bluewings, is a notable heat-loving plant. It can be grown in pot sizes ranging from 4-in. to gallon containers and is suited for hanging baskets and mixed containers, as well.
How cold can torenia tolerate?
Provide day temperatures of 75oF-80oF and night temperatures of 60oF-70oF. Low temperatures result in slow, stunted growth and bronzing of leaves. Plants can survive temperatures of up to 95oF, under partial shade and with proper irrigation.
Why is my torenia plant dying?
Too much direct hot sunlight, or too much heat in general, can be a problem. Your plant may suffer wilting during the hotter parts of the year. This is also true in stiflingly-warm humidity. Try to provide plenty of airflow around your plants, but keep them in a cooler location.
How do you care for torenia?
Keep the soil moist, but never soggy, as the Torenia wishbone flower is susceptible to root rot. Care of wishbone plants should include a regular fertilization schedule twice a month with a plant food high in phosphorus, the middle number in the fertilizer ratio (NPK).
Is wishbone flower toxic to dogs?
Wishbone Flower Torenia Pest or Diseases Is the plant considered toxic or poisonous to people, kids, pets? Clown flower is considered ornamental only. There is no evidence that it is at all toxic.
What are the colors of Torenia?
The Moon series, (Torenia Hybrida "Moon") is a bushy plant that comes in a number of colors, including pink, purple, rose, gold, yellow, magenta, violet and indigo. Torenia "Duchess" is a tightly mounded plant available in burgundy, pink and various shades of blue.
Who is Torenia Fournieri?
Missouri Botanical Garden: Torenia Fournieri. Writer Bio. M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening.
Can Torenia bloom in the shade?
Torenia blooms best in partial shade and doesn't do well in afternoon sunlight unless you live in a climate with cool summers. The plant prefers moist, well-drained soil, but never let it sit in muddy soil; water deeply, then let the soil dry slightly before watering again.
Is Torenia invasive?
This hardy plant presents no serious pest problems, but it is susceptible to root rot and powdery mildew in damp conditions or poorly drained soil. Torenia is not invasive, but the plant may self-seed in warm climates.
How tall do Torenia plants get?
Plants usually get about 6 inches tall and can trail up to 30 inches as they grow, making them a great choice for the front of a landscape bed or the edge of a container or hanging basket. While torenia is generally considered an annual, it should be able to overwinter in zones 10-11.
Is Torenia tolerant of rain?
Older varieties of torenia didn't always thrive in Florida, but the new Summer Wave® series of torenia is tolerant of heat, heavy rains, and occasionally dry soils. Specific cultivars in the Summer Wave® series include 'Amythyst Ice', 'Silver', 'Violet Ice', 'Large Amythyst', and 'Large Violet'. Torenia is also known as wishbone flower ...
How to Sow and Plant
Select a location in part sun with good rich moist organic, well-drained soil.
How to Grow
Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
Growing Tips
Torenia is useful for shady beds and borders, or as an edging and forms an attractive annual groundcover.
Common Disease Problems
Botrytis: This fungus causes a grey mold on flowers, leaves, stems and buds. It thrives in cool wet weather conditions. Burpee Recommends: Remove affected plant parts, avoid watering at night and getting water on the plant when watering. Make sure plants have good air circulation.
Common Pest and Cultural Problems
Aphids: Greenish, red, black or peach colored sucking insects can spread disease as they feed on the undersides of leaves. They leave a sticky residue on foliage that attracts ants. Burpee Recommends: Introduce or attract natural predators into your garden such as lady beetles and wasps which feed on aphids.
What color is a torenia?
Grown mostly for its showy flowers, torenia is a great way to add color. The flowers themselves are two-lipped and trumpet-like in shape. Usually, the upper lip and tube of the trumpet will be a lighter color, where the lower lip and outer edges will be dark. Blue or blue-violet variations are by large the best known.
Who is Torenia named after?
There, the name “torenia” was coined. It was named in honor of Reverend Olaf Toren (1718-1753), a chaplain for the Swedish East India Company. The species name, fournieri, was also an honor name. French botanist Eugene Pierre Nicolas Fournier (1834-1884) was best known for ferns.
Where did Torenia fournieri originate?
This gives the visual appearance of a bird’s wishbone tucked inside the petals. Torenia fournieri has its origins in the Asian continent . There, the name “torenia” was coined.
How to prepare soil for Torenia?
When preparing your soil, start by digging in a couple inches of compost. Torenia likes its soil to be loamy and rich, well-draining and full of organic material. Neutral pH levels are fine, but your plant prefers a hint of acidity. Aim for a 6.0 to 6.5 pH range whenever possible.
Do torenias need sun?
But unlike most flowers, your torenia is more likely to bloom in shadier conditions. As long as there’s plenty of ambient light, it’ll thrive — it doesn’t need full sun. In fact, if you’re in a particularly warm climate, full shade is likely better.
Is Torenia a cold hardy flower?
They just aren’t cold-hardy. No matter which name you call it by, this bright and cheery flower will look great. Torenia is a worthy addition to your shade garden or patio space. If you want color for months, this one’s for you! The Green Thumbs Behind This Article: Lorin Nielsen.
When do Torenia wishbone flowers bloom?
Blooms begin in late spring to early summer and continue until frost.
How to grow Torenia wishbone?
Or, sow seeds directly into the flower bed a week or so after the last frost date in your area. Seeds of the Torenia wishbone flower need light to germinate; cover lightly or simply press them gently into moist soil. Location of the wishbone flower is important to its long lasting success.
How big does Torenia purple flower get?
It grows to a height of 10 inches and can spread as wide as 16 inches. These types of Torenia flowers grow best in partial sun or full shade.
What is a Torenia Asiatica?
Torenia Asiatica is a summer-loving plant that produces attractive blooms throughout the summer. If you want your summer garden to look lively and fresh, the addition of Torenia Asiatica is a great option. The beautiful flowers will continue to add color to the garden all summer long. 3. Torenia crustacean.
What is Torenia Moon Yellow?
The eye-catching flowers are what make Torenia Moon Yellow such a popular Torenia variety. Other popular varieties include Summer Wave that has large flowers growing with a trailing habit. They are known for their large blue flowers. Some varieties of Summer Wave also have stunning Amethyst flowers.
How easy is it to grow Torenia?
Torenia flowers are very easy to grow. Planting Torenia is hassle-free, and these plants are incredibly low-maintenance. To grow the best quality Torenia flowers, you just have to be mindful of certain factors which are most likely to affect the growth of Torenia flowers.
What zone do Torenia fournieri bloom in?
These flowers perform well in part sun or shady areas. They fall in the USDA hardiness zones 2-11. Torenia fournieri flowers are lilac-blue in color, having deep-purple colored lower lips, and a throat that is blotched with yellow color.
How to grow Torenia fournieri?
Torenia fournieri seeds should be planted in warm, moist soil 6 to 8 weeks before the expected last frost date. These plants do not transplant well. Therefore, seeds should be started in paper pots or peat. The seeds should not be covered in soil because the seeds cannot germinate without sunlight. The soil should be maintained at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and should be reasonably moist. Once the seeds germinate, they can bear cooler temperatures.
When do bluewings bloom?
Torenia flowers or Bluewings are known for their charming appearance. They are versatile, annual flowers whose bloom time is from spring through fall. These flowers grow well in both shade and sun. Since they are extremely easy-to-grow, Torenia flowers are quite popular garden flowers.
Wishbone Flower Care
Aside from keeping your plants sufficiently watered and fed, there isn't much maintenance necessary. Deadheading (removing spent blooms) isn't essential, though it can help to encourage more growth and flowering. Furthermore, if a plant looks scraggly, you can clip it back to about half its height.
Types of Wishbone Flowers
There are several varieties of wishbone flowers that range in appearance, including:
Pruning
Pinching off the growing tip of the flower when it reaches a couple of inches high will help to create a bushier plant. If the plant looks scraggly, feel free to shape it as you wish. You can prune this plant back to about 1/2 its overall height every season.
Propagating Wishbone Flowers
To propagate wishbone flowers, take stem cuttings that are at least 6 inches long from an existing plant. Try to get a node (raised bump) at the bottom of the stem, which is likely to root. Remove any leaves on the lower half of the cutting and place the cutting in water.
How to Grow Wishbone Flowers From Seed
If you want to grow your wishbone flowers from seed, start the seeds six to eight weeks before your area's projected last frost date. Note that the flowers don't transplant well, so the seeds should be started in peat or paper pots that you can plant along with the seedlings.
Overwintering
Wishbone flowers are annual plants that will be destroyed by the first frost. There is no overwintering consideration for these plants.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Wishbone flowers don't have any major problems with pests or diseases. But they can be susceptible to fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, that can discolor and damage their leaves and stems. Providing optimal growing conditions and good air circulation for the plants should help to prevent most problems.
