• NATURE ATTRACTION – These plants are showy container plants,
fragrant especially at night, and can be pruned heavily as often as you
like.
• KEY TIPS – Plants can take intense sun on the flowers and leaves. The
colors of the flowers change as they become spent. Remove spent
flowers to encourage more flower production. After established for a
few months they become quite drought tolerant.
• SHELF LIFE – Plant in larger pots and place outside immediately after
the night temperatures stay above 45 degrees.
• PLANT PREPARATION - Unpack your plants immediately removing
any packing material. Transplant into larger 10-12 inch containers separately
or together in even a larger container. Cut away any yellow or
brown leaves or broken stems that may have occurred. This grooming
is completely normal and will take place as the plant grows. New leaves
and stems appear as the old ones are cut way.
• SOIL- They prefer bagged potting mixes for houseplants that will
drain well. Most garden centers carry various brand names with perlite,
vermiculite, soil and sand.
• RE-POTTING- Repot the plants into larger 10-12 inch pots separately
or together inside one larger container. You may increase pot size each
spring until it is in a 15 inch container.
• PLANTING DEPTH - Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and
about 5-6 inches deep. Place them in their holes. Pack soil firmly
around roots.
• PLANTING SPACING – If planting in garden or together in one container
space at least 20 inches apart.
• WATER – Water the plants thoroughly a couple times per week.
Repeat all summer long. They like moisture in the soil at all times during
the growing season while flowering. They are drought tolerant once
established though flower production usually diminishes.
• FERTILIZER – This helps maintain flower size and count from year to
year. For best results, use a well balanced fertilizer that promotes
blooming like Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503 or M9817))
once a week April through October.
• LIGHTING – Full sun or partial sun. Too little light will cause soft, limp
foliage without flowers.
• BLOOMING TIME- Blooms after 8-10 weeks upon receipt and will
continue to bloom throughout the summer and autumn every year.
• TEMPERATURE ZONE 9 to 11- You may place plants outside as long
as evening temperatures stay above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
• GROOMING- Cut away any yellow or brown leaves during summer.
Remove spent flowers to help encourage even more flowers.
• PRUNING – These plants can be pruned at any time from October
–March. If you are short on space for a containerized plant during the
winter, you may cut them back to about 2 feet tall every year.
Otherwise more gradual pruning is a good thing to do each spring. All
pruning will encourage new leaf buds that grow new branches for more
flowers.
• WINTERIZING – Plants rest from October through March. They usually
drop their foliage. Reduce watering to about once or twice a month.
Keep above freezing.
• TOXICITY- Parts of plants are poisonous if ingested.
