I did not have good success growing Angelonia from seed my first year, but I will try again because, once established, Angelonia is an excellent annual for containers. I struggled with germination, although the seedlings that did germinate grew well. In the pots, Angelonia did not bloom or bulk up, but I suspect I overcrowded all my containers that first year. So lessons learned which is what gardening is all about.
This is my personal growing guide. I use it to track seed sources, when to start seeds and if I should adjust growing conditions in my own greenhouse and garden. Please don’t consider this professional grower’s advice. I like the information cards from Ball Seed – here is Serena Angelonia.
FAVOURITE VARIETIES AND SOURCES
Stokes Seeds
- Serena Rose
- Serena Blue
- Serena Purple
| Hardiness | 40°F or 4°C, heat and humidity tolerant |
| Exposure | Full sun |
| Deer resistant | Deer and rabbit resistant |
| Bloom time & length | Late spring to late summer, filler thriller |
| Deadheading | Not needed, continuous blooming, can shear |
| Water/soil | Medium to average, don’t allow to dry out |
| Height | 16-20 inches |
| Width | 12-14 inches |
| Fertilizer | Slow-release fertilizer, light feeder |
My own notes: don’t overcrowd with mixed planters. This will impact growth and blooms.
SEED STARTING
Sow seeds 6-8 weeks before frost. Angelonia should not be planted out until warm weather is assured, generally 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost.
- 10 weeks before planting out is Mar 18
- pelleted seed on the soil surface – do not cover
- As pellet disintegrates, seed needs light to germinate
- 74°F/23°C for 4-5 days – use heat mat – warm water
GROWING CONDITIONS
- 68-80°F/20-26°C days and 64-66°F/18-19°C nights
- 4-4.5 in/10-11 cm pots
- transplant when weather warms, 2-3 weeks after frost (May 27)
- pinch young plants to encourage branching, no pinching once established
- does not need deadheading