| Description: |
Annuals or perennials forming a small much-branched bush, covered with white flowers when in bloom. |
| Uses: |
Beds, borders, cut flowers; alpine garden, container, ground cover, rock garden |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime.
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Keep the soil evenly moist and use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer diluted by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to none Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds
in the summer.
Early summer until frost; early to mid-spring
It is best to propagate seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Mist occasionally with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining). Prune back hard after flowers fade for a new bunch. Provide good ventilation. Discard the plant after flowering season. Sow seeds in the late summer for a late winter bloom.
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| Flower Color: |
White, pink, mauve, purple |
| Hardiness Zones: |
All for annual; 4a to 9a for perennial |
| Height: |
12" to 16" annual; 5" to 11" perennial |
| Width: |
6" to 10" annual; 18" to 24" perennial |