Tropical Bloomers

Dress your summer views with tropical flowering plants. These beauties pump out bloom after bloom as the mercury climbs, especially when they’re growing in soil rich in organic matter. In containers, use a mix like Coast of Maine Gardener’s Gold Organic Potting Soil. In beds, turn under an inch or two of Bumper Crop Organic Soil Builder.

For fertilizer, rely on a one-two punch. Mix a slow-release fertilizer into soil at planting time to help plants establish in their new settings. Four to six weeks after planting, start giving plants a water soluble bloom booster fertilizer every 10 to 14 days. You’ll be rewarded with loads of flowers.
Princess Flower

If you like purple, you’ll love princess flower. Beautiful vivid purple blooms open above eye-catching foliage in summer. Plant this fast-growing, royal bloomer in containers or planting beds. Site plants in full sun; afternoon shade is ideal in hottest regions. Prune princess flower as needed to keep plants bushy.

Hibiscus
Hibiscus plants open gorgeous flowers flared to 6 inches across in a rainbow of jewel-tone hues, including red, magenta, pink, orange, yellow, and salmon. Hibiscus prefers slightly acidic soil, which you can achieve by mixing a few handfuls of peat moss into soil. Or use an azalea fertilizer once a month (for containers) during summer.

Growing hibiscus in pots showcases their stunning flowers and warms soil. Place plants in sun or high, partial shade. Prune plants as they grow, removing lower branches to create a tree form, or allow them to grow into a shrubby shape.

Mandevilla Vine
This fast-growing, woody vine grows well in containers. Stems twine around supports, growing as high as the support permits. When transplanting the vine into a larger container, cover bamboo hoop supports with a dressy pot-size tuteur for a striking summer focal point. Flowers open in a nonstop parade, especially when vines are in full sun. Look for blossoms in pink, vibrant red, and white blushed pink.

Tropical Bloomers
• Grow tropical bloomers in pots to give roots warmest soil.
• Princess flower wows with its electric purple flowers and red-tinted foliage.
• Hibiscus flowers last one day; remove spent blooms to keep plants picture-perfect.
• Mandevilla vines flower heaviest when plants receive full sun.