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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 5, 2008

Plants available in complementary colors are among John Cox's favorites because they make garden design easy.

He plants several colors in "odds and evens" - five of one color, six of another, seven of yet another - for a naturalized effect. Today's selections he likes for their mix-and-matchability and relatively meager water demand.

Cox, who has worked at Green Thumb Nursery for four years, shares some of his tricks for keeping plants happy.

First, he says, add potting soil - not potting mix, which includes heavy topsoil - to the soil. Potting soil includes nutrients and organic materials such as humus, manure and bone meal. (Green Thumb's potting soil is $1.09 a 20-pound bag.)

Add slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote, to the soil, he says. After about two weeks, feed the plants something stronger, with more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Add root stimulator weekly for three weeks.

Green Thumb is located at 6913 Sheldon Road, Tampa.

Ivy Geranium

If you're planting geraniums

in the ground, put them in a

spot where they'll be somewhat

protected from summer
deluges because they don't

like a lot of water.

When watering, don't shower the blooms; that'll make them rot, Cox cautions. Instead, water the soil. Keep geraniums protected from freeze and frost and they may just become perennials.

The geranium pictured is great for hanging pots because of its draping limbs.

New Guinea Impatiens
Shady yards, this bud's for you. Cox likes their bright blooms for their tropical feel; his favorite color combo is Halloween orange and red. New Guinea impatiens get 1 to 2 feet tall and are most striking planted in masses.

Coleus "Easy, easy, easy!" Cox says. Coleus does well in sun or shade but will have more vibrant color - and a bigger thirst - in the sun. Pinch new leaf growth to encourage a nice, bushy plant.

Vinca (periwinkle)

For quick color in the hot sun, vinca's a winner, but be careful because it can be invasive. Cox likes pairing fuchsia and pastel pink blooms or lavender with white. Vincas don't like a lot of water, do well in native soil and bask in the hot sun.

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