The Romance of Illuminations

Illuminations establish the romance at this Begonia wedding

One of the jobs annuals do is an emotional performance. They use their forms and colors to turn a house into a home or a landscape into a vista in much the same way that we decorate a space with photos, furniture, draperies, and other emotional knick-knacks of our lives. Think of a lamp—it performs a function, but it also states who we are and the style we like.

For some annuals, the thrill of the moment is their job. They deliver the emotional punch in places where high-impact has high value. We call them Impact Tools, and a good example is the Illumination Begonia. Let’s take a look at its strength in showmanship, its accompanying restrictions, and some innovative ways to use it.

Note the intricate eye on top of the delicate flower of ‘Million Gold’

You may think of asters in the fall, but spring-blooming versions also exist. One of them is Melampodium ‘Million Gold’ with its rich, buttery yellow flowers in the classic daisy shape. They’re tiny, but when we take a close up view we can see that their button centers are actually quite intricate. This plant blooms a long time, so it provides nectar throughout the summer and fall.

 

Attracts pollinators to the porch or deck on Earth Day and every day

Placed in a container, ‘Million Gold’ makes a good porch or deck pollinator plant—a quality to keep in mind on Earth Day and every day. It has a low, mounded habit that fits nicely in small to mid-sized crockery. Normally we use this variety as a low bedding plant, but it can also work in a more intimate setting. ‘Million Gold’ is a sun worshipper, though it does do well in partial shade. Plants can handle tough summer conditions but produce better color coverage with regular watering—just be careful not to overwater.

Melampodium ‘Million Gold’ is available in the 1203 flat and the 8-inch pot.

Try growing Fernleaf Dill on a sunny tabletop

We sell Fernleaf Dill, normally found in the herb section of the garden center. It is a very close cousin to Bronze Fennel, so you can get a bronze leaf/green leaf vibe going by interplanting the two. Did you know that Dill is also a surprisingly effective indoor herb plant? It grows to fit inside small pottery, and its ferny leaf display is a welcome addition to any sunny spot in the home or office.

Fernleaf Dill is available in the 1801 flat.