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Annuals/unknown flower

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Expert: - 5/31/2010


Question
years ago I had an annual that grew about 3ft tall with flowers up and down the stalk. Then they produced a pod which started out green and then at the end of the season, they dried out and sprung open producing seeds which would come up the next year. I have lost the seeds when I moved and don't know the name of the plant. they came in a variety of colors. Can you help me find out the name of this plant? Thanks

Answer
I'm sure with a little more information -- the flower description and the bloom season, for starters, the location would be nice (I get questions from Australia, China, India, South America, England...) -- we could i.d. this plant you are so fond of.  We've all been there.  That said, why not try to find it yourself on the Bluestone Perennials website:

www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/index.html

Pull up the website, then click "Custom Search" on the upper left.  It will ask you a battery of question that add up to an instant list of possible suspects, most of them complete with color photos.  Let me know how it goes.

L.I.G.

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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