Keith Hansen

Weather forecasters have predicted some extreme cold temperatures this weekend, with some numbers I've seen in the 20s.

Tender, warm season annual plants and the open flowers on shrubs and other plants can be damaged by frost or freeze. Flower buds on shrubs, like azaleas, which are still tightly closed, should not be adversely affected by a light freeze or frost.

Frost, under the right conditions, can happen above 32 degrees. Cold air sinks, so folks in low-lying areas will be more prone to experience frost and freezing temperatures. If it is windy or overcast during the night, then frost will be much less likely.

Watch the weather forecast, and when it is predicted to be in the low 30s, bring in tender houseplants you may have already moved outdoors. Flower beds of tender annuals and open flowers on azaleas can be protected from frost and a light freeze by covering with light-weight frost blankets or old sheets or linens. Do not use plastic sheets as foliage touching the plastic can burn.

Heavier coverings should be supported so they do not touch the foliage. Anchor covers with bricks to prevent them blowing off, and don't remove them until the temperature climbs back up into the 40s.

Wrapping plants like a lollipop does not offer any protection from cold. The covers work by trapping heat from the soil as it escapes back into the atmosphere at night.

Chilly winter weather will sooner or later give way to the balmy days of spring, with hot summer days just a few months away. Along with the arrival of warmer weather will be the demise of the wonderful cool-season color plants we enjoy. While it is still a bit too early to be planting summer color plants, it's not too early to start planning our garden.

One of the challenges we face in East Texas is what to grow in those shady spots in the yard. Here are a few options of colorful annuals for shady spots that can give a lot bang for just a few gardening bucks. Later we'll take a look at annuals for hot, sunny locations.

CALADIUMS: These wonderful plants are grown for their colorful foliage. They shout tropical, and that is what they are. So they like it warm. Late April or early May is caladium planting time. Whether in pots or shaded garden beds, caladiums add a vivid richness to any summer garden. The caladium does best when planted after the soil warms up to 70 degrees or higher. Even though caladiums like warm temperatures, they prefer cool, moist, well-drained soils in the landscape.

Buy your tubers as soon as they are available, but wait a bit longer to plant, giving the soil plenty of time to warm up. The tubers should be planted approximately 1-1/2 to 2 inches deep, and from 12 to 18 inches apart, in loose, organic, rich soil.

They are excellent in pots, tubs, and planters. You can get a jump on the weather by planting in mid-April in pots, and transplanting to the garden in early May. Provide a steady supply of fertilizer to maintain the lush production of colorful leaves.

BEGONIAS: There has been a trend to growing begonias in full sun - pushing the limits of these bright and colorful annuals. Many of the varieties, especially the bronze-leaf types, tolerate sunny spots. But, traditionally begonias have been used in partial shade, where they receive some sun, whether full morning sun, or bright light all day. It is in these conditions that they grow and look their best. Plant in early spring so they can become well-established before the onslaught of summer heat arrives.

COLEUS: Here's another group of plants that is coming out of the shade and into the sun. Coleus is another plant that is grown for its colorful, often gaudy, foliage. New varieties of varying colors and leaf shapes appear on the market with regularity, making this an interesting and useful group of plants to work into the landscape. Consider how the leaf color will accent or foil other flowers or leaves in your yard and plant several in a group to get the best results. Darker leaf colors mix well with lighter greens of other leafy plants.

Give coleus room as they get 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide, and cut off bloom stalks as they appear.

IMPATIENS: Another standby for the shade garden, these fine plants come in a wide range of pastel colors, and will bloom continuously right up to first frost. New Guinea impatiens have larger flowers and leaves, often with interesting color patterns, but can be more difficult to grow. New improved varieties are showing greater heat tolerance and stamina, along with interesting leaf and flower colors. New Guinea impatiens require excellent drainage and do not like to be kept as moist as regular impatiens. Consider growing them in containers to provide the drainage they need. All impatiens need shaded conditions to grow and look their best.

SCARLET SAGE: Want some hot color for your shady side? Try Salvia splendens - commonly called Scarlet Sage. As the name suggests, bright red is the most common color, but this colorful annual also comes in purple, white and other colors. I think red holds up the best. Unlike most perennial salvias, S. splendens needs partial to mostly shade to look its best. Another Salvia - S. coccinea "Lady in Red'' is a reseeding annual with larger blooms and shorter stature than the unimproved species. S. coccinea blooms in partial shade as well as full sun.

NICOTIANA: The botanical name of flowering tobacco, Nicotiana is a close relative of the tobacco grown commercially for smoking. Flowering tobacco comes in a range of pastel shades, and flowers best with some sun. The older unimproved varieties are taller and are more fragrant, but not always as easy to come by in the nursery as their newer, more dwarf cousins.

All annual bedding plants do best with a loose, moist, highly organic soil. Mix in peat moss or very well decomposed compost to your garden soil, blending it in the top 5 or 6 inches. Jump start transplants with a water-soluble fertilizer, and then apply fertilizer periodically during the summer. Or, use a slow release or organic fertilizer to provide nutrients over a longer period of time.

Keep soil moist, but avoid frequent watering which keeps the surface wet and promotes crown rot and other problems. Mulch the soil with a medium textured material to maintain moisture, thus allowing you to cut down on watering. Mulches are also important for weed control.

HANSEN
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