This colorful annual will put on a show all season long.
This tropical plant, native to southeast Asia, is excellent for brightening up a shade garden.
Wishbone flower is a perennial that is usually grown as an annual.
Credit: Justin Hancock
It gets its name from stamens that form wishbone shapes.
It is also called clown flower because the patterns and bright hues of the blooms often resemble clown makeup.
The glossy green foliage acts as a verdant backdrop for the plant’s showy blooms.
Credit: Justin Hancock
This long-blooming, compact flower puts on a nonstop display of color from spring until frost.
Where to Plant Wishbone Flower
Wishbone flower comes in both trailing and upright varieties.
Choose a variety that best fits your needs.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Space upright varieties 8 to 9 inches apart and trailing varieties 15 inches apart.
As long as it is kept evenly moist and watered regularly, it can handlefull sun.
The ideal growing conditions for this annual are in the early morning sun and shade during the afternoon hours.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
With full shade, the plant tends to bloom less and appear less dense than its sunnier counterparts.
Wishbone flower prefers to be consistently moist, so don’t let it dry out between waterings.
Soggy soil and overwatering, on the other hand, can lead to root rot.
Credit: Justin Hancock
For in-ground plantings, add a granular slow-release balanced fertilizer about once a month.
Pinching also encourages better branching in trailing varieties.
Deadheading is usually not required but it can help keep the plants looking neat, especially the upright varieties.
Credit: Justin Hancock
A 10-inch pot fits two to three wishbone flowers.
Potted wishbone flowers need more frequent watering and fertilization than inground plants.
Because the life cycle of wishbone flower is only one season, it does not require repotting.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Pests and Problems
Wishbone flower is fairly resistant to serious pests and diseases.
In hot, humid weather, it may get infested by whiteflies.
How to Propagate Wishbone Flower
Wishbone flowers can be started from seed.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Do not cover the seeds; they need light to germinate.
Keep them moist at around 70 degrees F. The seeds will germinate in two to three weeks.
Harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
It grows 16 inches tall and trails 24 inches.
This hybrid grows 16 inches tall and 24 inches across.
It is especially suitable for areas with extremely hot summers.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The varieties in the Kauai series are more compact and better-branched than the Clown series.
It grows 6 inches tall and 16 inches wide.
It grows 10 inches tall and 16 inches wide.
Credit: Justin Hancock
The plant has a trailing habit and large deep blue flowers.
It’s also a great edging plant because of its tidy, compact habit.
It halts bloom in summer in warmer areas.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Begonia
Talk about foolproof: Annual begoniais about as easy as it gets.
It also loves plenty of fertilizer, so be generous.
Plant annual begonias in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
No need to deadhead this flower unless you want to, it’s “self-cleaning.”
Impatiens
What would we do without impatiens?
It’sthe old reliable for shade gardenswhen you want eye-popping color all season long.
Starting with fresh seeds purchased from a seed company will give you more predictable results.
The discoloration of the foliage is usually a sign that its too cold for the plant.
Cover the plant at night until the weather gets warmer.
