Annuals on a Slope

Question

We moved into a house that has a large sloping bed in our backyard. So far they had a rose bush that performed beautifully this summer and some junipers. I planted some daylillies, a hydrangea (at the top of the slope, more on level ground) a coneflower and a black-eyed-Susan. They all are doing fine. I planted a bunch of annuals and most of them have stopped blooming, a sunflower which has pooped out and petunias not blooming. I also planted balloon flowers, which do not look like they are going to bloom either. Is it the slope, too much drainage, soil erosion from the winter, etc. ? I’m puzzled. We have tons of worms, so I know the soil is good quality. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I’m puzzled too. It could be that much nitrogen is giving your plants all that green but no flowers, but if the plants look puny, rainwater may be leaching the nutrients away. Add some peat moss to the soil to hold moisture and try foliar feeding.

Answer 2

You don’t mention what kind of annuals but in addition to the answer provided by Nikki, If you have gotten SOME annuals need the spent blossoms removed before they do their best. This is particularly true of marigolds. Petunias should be blooming without deadheading, however, so it sounds like they indeed need some fertilizer. Use one specifically made for flowering plants.