Dr. Grow: A bright idea

I have developed a bright idea over the last few months. Before I explain the idea, I want to discuss the problems that it solves.

In the first place, full-sun gardeners have a hard time keeping flowers alive at this time of year. Because it is usually so hot and dry, many of the favorite annuals have a tendency to burn up or develop disease problems.

You can only keep annuals alive by proper watering. If your schedule only allows you to water in the evening, fungus problems often develop. Fungus problems are also enhanced if you overwater.

Underwatering is also a problem. If you go on vacation and the designated water boy/girl doesn't do his/her job, you'll find brown and crinkly plants upon your return. In the second place, cabin fever dulls the senses in the early spring. When we experience the first few warm days, annual flowers are in high demand. No one seems to listen to me when I say it is too early to plant. The ensuing cold weather returns, and then I see the same gardeners in stores, buying more plants to replenish the ones that succumbed to frost. In the third place, our landscapes are usually dull and drab in the winter. No color, except shades of green and browns, is present in the landscape.

So what is my bright idea? My idea is a flower rotation that seems to solve all of the problems discussed above. At this time of the year, plant vinca in your full sun beds. These profuse bloomers like it hot and dry. In the Heartland two waterings a week, if planted in beds, will usually be sufficient. Since so few waterings are required, you can water in the evening and not promote disease. If you leave on vacation, or go away for a long weekend, you don't have to find someone who is totally dedicated to your flower garden.

I like vinca because it is a profuse bloomer. With the addition of many colors, you can find one that will go with any color combination. No dead heading is required. It is a low-maintenance flower.

This fall when it begins to cool off and when the rains begin, vinca will not do well. Again, it likes it hot and dry. At that time replace vinca with pansies. Pansies will give your landscape color all winter long. I have seen pansies stick their heads up above snow and ice. Early next spring when other gardeners want to get some "color" in their landscape, you will already have profuse color everywhere. Pansies take the early spring frosts, unlike many of the other annuals.

Pansies, planted in the fall, will grow well in the spring and give you a profuse show of color until May when it begins to get hot and dry again. At that time replace your pansies with vinca and begin the cycle all over again.

I don't know whether you like my bright idea or not. I've tried it over the last few years and it seems to work. It has eliminated many of the problems that anxious and busy gardeners tend to get themselves into. Give my idea a try. Start now by replacing any annuals in your suns beds that seem to be struggling.