2023 Plant Spacing and Reference Guide

Head Lettuce (Little Gem)

Welcome to the 2023 Growing Season!

We have a growing guide for vegetables in a separate post, so head there if you have a vegetable or herb question. For both perennial and annual flowers, we have spacing requirements below.

All of the flowers we offer will do best in full sun (6+ hours). We’ve indicated below which plants can tolerate some shade. A general rule for watering is 1”-2” of water per week in ground plantings. If in doubt, stick your finger in the soil. If it’s dry to a depth of 2” or more, give the garden a drink. And if you’ve got wilting plants on your hands, that’s another sign.

Container plantings require water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. In summer this can mean daily waterings in full sun - some afternoon shade can help lessen water needs.

• Mountain Mint (perennial)

  • (Pycnanthemum pilosum) space at 12”

• Licorice / Korean Mint (perennial)

  • (Agastache rugosa) Space at 10-14”, will grow to 36-48”

  • culinary use: Sweet, minty licorice flavor. Wonderful tea herb. Leaves are best harvested before flowering and make a delicious addition to salad mix.

  • garden: Blue flower spikes can grow to 8” tall and provide excellent forage for beneficial insects. Blooms over a long period and especially well late in the season.

• Yarrow / Achillea (perennial)

  • drought-resistant, plant in full sun.

  • Love Parade (A. sbirica): 24” spacing

• Cosmos (annual)

  • Apricot Lemonade (C. bipinnatus) : 12” spacing; height 20 to 30 inches.

  • Apricotta, Xsenia, and Velouette (C. bipinnatus): 12” spacing , grows 3-4 ft tall.

  • Buddha Hand (C. sulphureus): 12-15” spacing, 24” tall - dye plant, edible petals

  • Diablo (C. sulphureus): 15-18” spacing, 36-48” tall or more - dye plant, edible petals

  • Chocolate Cosmos (C. atrosanguineas): Space at 8-12”, reaches height of 30". We recommend growing in a container for best enjoyment of its remarkable chocolate-y scent. Water deeply 1x/week.

    • After the first light frost, you can dig up the tuber and save it in a dry, cool place to plant again next year (yes, like a dahlia!)

• Dahlias (annual)

  • Edible Flowers: The mild-flavored flowers and tubers are edible.

  • Pompon Mix: Red, white, pink, yellow shades. 40” tall. Space at 15” -18”

  • Harlequin Mix: Great in garden or lush container. 18” tall. Space at 12”-15”

  • Giant Hybrid Mix: Pinks, apricots, red, and oranges. 16-36" tall. Space at 15”-18”

• Echinacea / Coneflower (perennial)

  • E. purpurea : Space at 18”, grows 2’-4’ tall over time. Blooms first year.

• Lavender (perennial)

  • Munstead: Winter hardy in Zones 5–9. Height 15-18”; spacing 20”.

• Marigold (Tagetes, annual)

  • Pinwheel (T. patula) : Plants are 2.5’-3.5’ in height and width

  • French Brocade (T. patula) : low growing, 12-18”

  • Tangerine Gem (T. tenuifolia): bushy plant, 15-24”. Edible flowers and leaves for salad greens and garnish. Remove the petals from the flower base before consuming as the base can be quite bitter. Deadhead regularly to encourage blooms.

• Nasturtium (annual)

  • ‘Caribbean Cocktail’ is a dwarf, non-trailing variety.

  • edible flowers and leaves with radish-like, peppery taste.

  • Space at 12”-15”. Can tolerate some shade; but more shade means fewer flowers.

• Poppies (annual)

  • California Poppies (Escholschzia californica):

    • Apricot Chiffon and Thai Silk Appleblossom - Sensitive to transplant - we recommend planting on a cool evening. Use care not to disturb plant roots when transplanting. Recommended for the front of the border at 10” tall. Space at 8”-12” . can tolerate part shade.

• • If left to flower, mature Shiso plants reach a height of 18 to 30 inches tall with a 12”-18” spread. Will readily self-sow, so keep it cut back if you don’t want volunteers next year. Can grow in part to full shade, size will be smaller.

• Sunflowers (annual)

  • Transplant immediately with care not to disturb roots.

    • Teddy Bear: Space plants 8”-12” apart. Grows 8“-12” tall in a container; 24”-36” if quickly transplanted to the garden.

    • Sonja: Space. at 12”. 8 or more side branches on strong 17–28" stems bear 4" blooms. Bears pollen; good for bee forage. Branching. Ht. 38–42"

    • sunflower petals and seeds are edible.

• Violas and Pansies (annual)

  • edible flowers: popular as cake and dessert decoration.

  • Space at 4”-6”. Likes afternoon shade in warm months.