Early summer is the perfect time to take stock of how our annual plant selections are performing in zone 6A upstate New York. After giving our annuals a few weeks to settle in and show their true colors, we're ready to share our completely unscientific but totally honest ratings of what's thriving and what's flopping in our garden.

Our rating system is simple: Would we plant it again? A 10 means absolutely yes, a 5 means maybe, and anything lower gets the boot. We're evaluating based on performance, visual impact, and how well each plant fits into our garden's overall design.

Container Combinations: When Expectations Meet Reality

Starting with our brand new west border containers, we've learned that not all plants perform equally even when they share the same growing conditions. Our Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud, new for 2026, earned mixed reviews between us. While one of us loves the iridescent pink with chartreuse throat and gives it a 7.5/10, the other finds the bloom structure "ratty" and rates it just 4/10.

This highlights an important lesson: personal preference plays a huge role in plant selection, and what one gardener adores, another might dislike.

The real winners in our containers have been the Laguna Royale Azure Lobelia – a perfect 10/10 from both of us for its true blue color and excellent performance. However, its companion Blue Pearl Lobelia with white centers splits our opinions, proving that even small variations in a plant can dramatically affect its appeal.

The Gaura Experiment: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Our Stratosphere Pink Pickety Gaura has been a fascinating study in perspective. From a distance, it creates exactly the whimsical, airy effect we wanted – those whispy wands floating above other plants score a solid 7/10. But up close, the appeal diminishes significantly, earning only a 6/10.

The revelation came when we observed the same plant in our containers versus the landscape. In containers, where it's viewed from multiple angles and heights, it becomes a 10/10 performer. This teaches us that plant placement and viewing perspective are crucial considerations when designing garden spaces.

Ground-Level Reality Checks

Some of our ground plantings have been spectacular successes, while others have taught us valuable lessons about site selection and plant needs.

Our Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo river along the pondless waterfall has exceeded all expectations. Typically preferring containers over ground plantings, we've been amazed by how these petunias have carpet-bloomed with beautiful color variation that keeps the eye moving through the planting.

On the flip side, our Fiber Optics grass has been a complete flop – earning the dreaded 1/10 rating. Despite researching its preference for moist conditions near water features, it's been bleaching yellow and getting eaten by rabbits. Sometimes even well-researched plants just don't work in your specific conditions.

The Begonia Lessons: Sun Exposure Matters

Our Double Delight Blush Rose begonias have provided an excellent education in microclimate effects. In full sun, they're turning an unwanted orange color and struggling to maintain their pink theme. But in part shade, the same variety displays gorgeous pink blooms with much better performance.

This side-by-side comparison has shown us that even "sun-tolerant" plants might prefer less intense conditions, and sometimes the difference between success and disappointment is simply plant placement.

Color Coordination Challenges

Plant performance isn't just about vigor – it's also about how well plants work together visually. Our Compact Purple Sun Impatiens earned vastly different scores from each of us, primarily based on color coordination concerns.

While the dark foliage and purple flowers look stunning with our Indigo plantings and Norway spruce, they clash terribly with certain hydrangeas and other landscape elements. This experience reinforced that context matters enormously when selecting plant colors.

Surprising Standouts and Disappointing Performers

Some plants have completely surprised us with their performance. The Sweet Caroline Shadow Storm sweet potato vine, with its beautiful variegation, looked promising but has been slow to establish and isn't providing the billowing effect we wanted.

Meanwhile, our Meteor Shower verbena has been an absolute rockstar, earning 10/10 ratings across the board. It performs beautifully in both full sun and part shade, attracts pollinators, stays tidy, and provides exactly the texture we wanted throughout the garden.

The Aromance Pink nemesia has been another pleasant surprise, especially when planted near seating areas where we can enjoy its fragrance. It does have periods where it flowers out and takes a brief rest before the next flush, but its overall performance and scent make it a repeat purchase.

The Castor Bean Success Story

Our Impala castor beans, grown from seed, have been phenomenal performers. With diligent fertilizing using our new wet/dry sprayer system, these dramatic foliage plants will grow to tower over our fence by season's end. They've earned 9-10/10 ratings for their unique structure and the bold statement they make in the landscape.

Container vs. Ground Performance

We've noticed significant differences in how the same plants perform in containers versus ground plantings. Many of our annuals, like the begonias, actually prefer container culture where we can control their growing conditions more precisely.

Our hanging basket combinations have been particularly successful, with simplified color palettes creating sophisticated, cohesive displays. The lesson here is that sometimes less is more when it comes to plant combinations.

The Irrigation Game-Changer

One factor in our success this year has been implementing strategic drip irrigation and using a more efficient fertilizing system. Our Chapin wet/dry sprayer has revolutionized how we feed our plants, making weekly fertilizing manageable rather than overwhelming.

This consistent care has definitely contributed to better performance from many of our annuals, proving that the right tools can make routine maintenance much more achievable.

Fragrance and Multi-Sensory Appeal

Several of our highest-rated plants earn points for fragrance as well as visual appeal. The Augusta Lavender heliotrope and various nemesia varieties add scent layers to our garden experience, reminding us that gardens should engage all our senses.

Learning from the Flops

Not every plant can be a winner, and that's valuable information too. Our gomfrena attempts continue to be thwarted by hungry rabbits, while the Fiber Optics grass simply isn't performing as expected despite careful site selection.

These "failures" aren't really failures – they're data points that help us make better choices next year. Garden experimentation always involves some disappointments, but that's part of the learning process.

Regional Considerations

Our zone 6A growing conditions mean we need annuals that can handle temperature fluctuations and occasional weather extremes. Plants that aren't performing well by early July have essentially lost half our growing season, making early vigor crucial for success.

Some varieties that might be perennials in warmer zones perform as annuals for us, while others simply can't establish quickly enough to justify their space in our garden.

The Verdict: Planning for Next Year

As we evaluate this year's annual selections, clear patterns emerge. Reliable performers like our Artist Blue floss flower ageratum and Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo will definitely return next year. Experimental plants that haven't met expectations will be replaced with proven alternatives.

The most valuable outcome of this rating exercise is gaining clarity about what works in our specific conditions and design aesthetic. Every garden is unique, and what succeeds brilliantly in one location might struggle in another.

Our biggest surprises this year have been the Azure Blue Lobelia and the Pink Pickety Gaura in containers – both plants we weren't sure about that have become favorites. These pleasant surprises remind us why it's worth trying new varieties each season.

Ready to plan your own annual lineup? Remember that every garden is an experiment, and the best way to find your perfect plants is to try them yourself and rate their performance in your unique conditions.

Thanks for growing with us!

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