Stumped on what you can plant in the shade? With Downy Mildew plaguing America’s go-to shade annual, Impatiens walleriana, gardeners are searching for alternatives that will bring lasting color to shady spots. One widely recommended group of annuals to consider is Summer Wave torenia from Suntory Flowers.
Summer Wave was the very first vigorous, vegetatively propagated torenia series. Older torenias that were bred as bedding plants from seed are no comparison. Torenias are also commonly known as wishbone flower because in the throat of the flower their anthers create what looks like a wishbone from a bird.
While the original Summer Waves in shades of amethyst, blue, and silver have a lush trailing habit, the newer Summer Wave Bouquet series has a more controlled growth habit and wider color range spanning shades of blue, cream, yellow, white, and rose. Original Summer Wave grows to a height of 6-10 inches with a spread of more than 30 inches. The Summer Wave Bouquets reach a height of 6-8 inches with a spread of up to 20 inches.
Summer Wave torenias flower all season, thrive in summer heat, and can tolerate dry soil. They are easy to grow and maintain, self-cleaning and well branching. They require very little maintenance. Plant in partial sun/semi shade conditions, not full shade, for best results. Plant as a bedding border, in hanging baskets, patio pots, and window boxes. Try mixing with other annuals in mixed baskets and containers.
Summer Wave torenias continue to demonstrate their summer landscape performance. Last summer, ‘Summer Wave Large Amethyst’ was named Best Torenia at Colorado State University. Large Violet was named a Top Winner at Michigan State University and Bouquet Cream Yellow was recognized as a Prairie Star Winner at Kansas State University. Although used as an annual in most environments, plants will bloom year round in mild climates.
Posted May 10, 2013
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By Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Photographs courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Terra Nova’s breeders have created a series of outstanding world-class echinaceas that are consistent in size, bloom power, color intensity and are a pollinator buffet. What’s not to like.
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Summer Wave was the very first vigorous, vegetatively propagated torenia series. Older torenias that were bred as bedding plants from seed are no comparison. Torenias are also commonly known as 
Summer Wave torenias
