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Butterfly Flower 'Dr. Badger's Mix'
Butterfly Flower 'Dr. Badger's Mix'
Seed Packet

Butterfly Flower 'Dr. Badger's Mix'

Schizanthus x wisetonensis
They called it Poor Man's Orchid in the early 1800s, named for the open-faced white, pink, red, and violet flowers, each with delicate markings of varying colors arrayed along the pale green stems. A branching habit allows for a multitude of blooms that eventually fade as summer heat takes over. Also fun to grow as a winter-blooming windowsill plant for a needed flowery reminder that spring will come!
SKU #S1466
$3.25
Currently Unavailable
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Linaria 'Licilia Violet'
Agrostemma 'Purple Queen'
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Calendula 'Ivory Princess'
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Chinese Forget Me Not 'Mystery Rose'
Chinese Forget Me Not 'Mystery Rose'
Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
480
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Half Hardy Annual
Mature Size
1-1.5' h x 1' w
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Regular to rich, moist, well-drained
Season
Summer
Color
Mix of lavender, white, violet and light-to-dark pink with yellow centers
Features
Great for containers
Great Cut Flower
Deer Resistant
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Bees
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
1/8"
Sprout Time:
7-21 days
Seed To Bloom:
8-12 weeks
Starting Indoors:
Recommended in hotter summer areas. Start indoors in sterile germinating mix 8 weeks before last spring frost, watering from below as they are susceptible to damping off. Keep at 60-70°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow 2-3 weeks before the last spring frost date.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
After last frost
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Schizanthus is an heirloom annual that once was grown as a winter houseplant in the cool, drafty houses of the early 1800s. Called Poor Man's Orchid, it boasts trusses of delicately marked petals in various shades of pink, cream, and lavender. It does best in moderate summer areas; elsewhere, it is best as an early summer exuberant bloomer and unusual long-lasting cut flower. Pinch back when seedlings reach about 4" tall to encourage a more bushy habit.
Final Spacing:
8-12"
Water Requirements:
Medium Water Use
Watering Details:
Keep moist but avoid saturated soils.
Soil pH:
Not particular about pH.
Fertilizer:
Mix in a couple of inches of compost into the soil before planting.
Diseases & Pests:
No serious problems. Avoid fungal diseases by spacing properly for air circulation.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
Cut when most flowers on a stem are open.