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G84-721 Growing Annual Flowers, Don Steinegger, Susan D. Schoneweis, Steven Rodie, Anne Streich

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses using annuals in landscape design, how to select transplants and proper seeding, planting and cultivating methods.

Annual flowers can be a prime source of color to accent and enliven a home's landscape. While flowering trees and shrubs provide short bursts of color, most annuals begin blooming within a month of planting and flower until frost. The wide range of colors, sizes and species adapted to either sun or shade makes it possible to plant annual flowers almost anywhere. Annuals are perfect for beds, borders, rock gardens, window boxes, hanging baskets or as temporary ground covers and fillers. …

G84-697 Ground Covers: Their Establishment And Maintenance (Revised June 1992), Don Steinegger, Luann Finke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to plant and maintain ground covers to take advantage of their low-maintenance features.

Ground covers are low-growing plants, usually less than 12 inches tall, that spread to form dense mats which bind and hold the soil in place. Many also have a season of effective bloom. Turfgrass is the most common ground cover. However, sites that are less suitable for turfgrass, such as slopes, steep banks, and shaded areas, can often grow other ground covers successfully.

A well-established ground cover generally requires less maintenance than the typical turfgrass lawn. Ground covers are not totally maintenance-free, nor …