Proven Winners® Annuals

Gardeners often face annuals that quit blooming, suffer disease, or underperform. Proven Winners addresses these issues through a three‑step process: (1) breeders submit thousands of seedlings; (2) only plants that excel in multi‑year, multi‑region trials reach the final cut; (3) less than 3 % earn the Proven Winners label. This rigorous vetting ensures continuous bloom, vibrant color, and strong stress tolerance with minimal sprays or extra fertilizer. The result is fewer replacements and more season‑long color, making the premium price a smarter long‑term investment.

Wait until both the last frost date has passed and soil temperatures stay above 60 °F. In most Zone 7 gardens that means mid‑May; in Zone 5 it may be late May. Harden plants off for 3–5 days, then plant in beds 1–2 weeks after the frost‑free date or in containers slightly earlier (pots warm faster). This timing lets roots start growing immediately, leading to earlier, heavier bloom cycles.

Follow six steps: 1) Mix 2–3 in. of compost plus slow‑release fertilizer into beds or use a premium peat‑based potting mix for containers. 2) Space plants so mature canopies just touch (10–14 in. for Supertunia Vista®, 6–8 in. for Superbells®). 3) Set crowns level with the soil surface. 4) Water thoroughly, then keep the root zone evenly moist for 10 days to establish. 5) Add a 2 in. mulch layer in beds to moderate moisture and temperature. 6) Feed weekly with half‑strength water‑soluble fertilizer once plants are actively growing. Removing these common stressors lets the genetics deliver full season color.

Yes—containers are a hallmark of the brand. Choose a pot at least 14 in. wide (or a 12‑qt hanging basket) filled with lightweight bark‑and‑perlite mix. Combine thrillers (e.g., Graceful Grasses®), fillers (Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum®), and spillers (Snow Princess® Lobularia) that share sun and moisture needs. Provide 6 + hrs of sun, water until excess drains, and fertilize every third watering. Those container‑specific tweaks keep root zones oxygenated and nutrient‑rich, driving cascading color all summer.

Most Proven Winners annuals are self‑cleaning—spent blooms drop without manual deadheading. Supplement a base slow‑release fertilizer with water‑soluble plant food (about 200 ppm) weekly, or every third watering in hot weather. Watch foliage: pale leaves signal nitrogen shortage; lush leaves with few blooms mean too much nitrogen—skip a feeding. Occasional trims of leggy stems refresh plant shape. This balanced feeding and light grooming routine powers relentless flowering without burnout.