Angelonia Flowers are very good especially good for container gardening, the Angelonia will keep blooming all summer even if old flowers are removed. Once tall enough to cut bring them inside and you’ll notice a light scent that some say is reminiscent of apples. It requires a Full Sun and a damp soil with Zones of about 9 – 11.
They have a Height of about 2 – 3 feet tall and Blooms in Mid‑Summer – Mid‑Fall. Its unique feature is that it can tolerate heat.
About Angelonia Flowers
Care of Angelonia Flowers
How to Sow Angelonia Flowers
Angelonia may be grown from seed sown early indoors, or sown directly in the garden after frost.
Sowing Angelonia Seed Indoors:
- Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in spring using a seed starting kit
- Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep in seed starting formula
- Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F
- Seedlings emerge in 10-14 days
- As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
- Thin to one seedling per cell when they have two sets of leaves.
- Angelonia seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Before planting in the garden, Angelonia seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. This process can help accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens the seedling plants at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.
Sowing Angelonias Directly in the Garden:
- Direct sow seeds in average soil in full sun after all danger of frost.
- Select a location in full sun with well-drained soil for the Angelonias.
- Prepare the soil by removing weeds and working organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil; then level and smooth.
- Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.
- Sow seeds thinly and evenly and cover with 1/8 inch of fine soil.
- Firm soil lightly with your hand, water and keep evenly moist.
- Seedlings will emerge in 10-14 days.
- Angelonia should be thinned to 18 inches apart.
How to Grow Angelonia Flowers
- Keep weeds under control during the Angelonia growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
- Mulches can also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals, an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
- Keep soil evenly moist but not wet.
- After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer as higher rates may encourage root rots.
- Remove spent flower heads to keep plants flowering until fall.
- Monitor Angelonias for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.
- Remove plants after they are killed by frost in fall to avoid disease issues the following year.
Read Also: Ageratum Flowers (Floss Flower) – All you need to know
Growing tips for Angelonia Flowers
- When plants are young, at about 6 inches, pinch out the tips of the main stems to encourage branching and bushiness.
- Angelonia is good for containers, borders and bedding plants.
- Cut back by half after first flower to encourage a second bloom.
Common Pests and Problems
Botrytis: This fungus causes a grey mold on flowers, leaves, stems and buds. It thrives in cool wet weather conditions.
Damping Off: This is one of the most common problems when starting plants from seed. The seedling emerges and appears healthy; then it suddenly wilts and dies for no obvious reason.
Damping off is caused by a fungus that is active when there is abundant moisture and soils and air temperatures are above 68 degrees F. Typically, this indicates that the soil is too wet or contains high amounts of nitrogen fertilizer.
Powdery Mildew: This fungus disease occurs on the top of the leaves in humid weather conditions. The leaves appear to have a whitish or greyish surface and may curl.
Root Rots: A number of pathogens cause root rots of seedlings as well as mature roots.
Virus (Various causes): The most characteristic sign of virus is tight and dark green mottling of the leaves. Young leaves may be bunched. Young plants may have a yellowish tone and become stunted.
Common Pest and Cultural Problems
Aphids: Greenish, red, black or peach colored sucking insects can spread disease as they feed on the undersides of leaves. They leave a sticky residue on foliage that attracts ants.
Spider Mites: These tiny spider-like pests are about the size of a grain of pepper. They may be red, black, brown or yellow. They suck on the plant juices removing chlorophyll and injecting toxins which cause white dots on the foliage.
There is often webbing visible on the plant. They cause the foliage to turn yellow and become dry and stippled. They multiply quickly and thrive in dry conditions.
Whitefly: These are small white flying insects that often rise up in a cloud when plants are disturbed or brushed against.
