Frequently Asked Questions

WHEN CAN I EXPECT BLOOMS? These will bloom from early summer into early fall.

DO THEY LIKE SHADE? These prefer full to partial sun. Sun really makes a difference in blooming.

WHAT MAKES THESE SO AMAZING? Voted a gold medal winner in the 2013 Fleuroselect Trials for the best new annual in the European market. It produces masses of sweetly scented dazzling blooms over a long period of time June-September; it requires no staking or trellis and is ideal for patios with full sun exposure. Perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, patio containers, or in a garden border without any trellis or support! Heat and humidity tolerant too for the deep South!

WHERE DO THESE LOOK BEST IN LANDSCAPE? Well suited for container plantings, window boxes, garden borders, & mass plantings in beds.

WILL THE CIRITTERS EAT THEM? They look so yummy but deer and rabbits leave them alone.

WHAT IS NEEDED FOR WINTER CARE? These are annuals and can’t take a freeze. In warm winter areas, plants often come back.

WHAT DISEASE OR EXTRA CARE IS NEEDED? Not much extra care is needed except extra time needed to enjoy their showy flowers. These are humidity resistant, self- cleaning, compact, have long continuous blooming, and are well branched. Villa Roma Dwarf Sweet Peas First Things First... (Lathyrus odoratus)

When your plant arrives from Roberta’s, remove from the shipping box immediately.

Remove plastic bag and sleeve from around potted plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves that may have occurred during transit. If you can’t plant it into garden or larger pot within a few days, make sure it stays well watered.

When ready to plant, do the job as early in the day as possible to avoid extreme soil temperatures that prevent proper water uptake from the roots. Water them in well and whisper a few words of wisdom. quick reference Continuing Care Additional Reference planting guide

PLANT PREPARATION light/sun exposure: Full to Part Sun Remove plastic bag and sleeve from around potted plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves usda 9 to 11 hardiness zones: or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves that may have occurred during transit. If you cannot plant it into garden plant type Annual or larger pot within a few days, make sure it stays well watered. planting distance: 10 to 12 inches POTTED PLANTS mature height/spread: Repot the plants into larger 10-12 inch pots separately or 14-16 inches Sweet Pea Villa Roma White together in larger containers. shipped as shown 10-12 inches SOIL They like bagged potting mixes for houseplants that will bloom time: Early Summer – Early Autumn drain well. Most garden centers carry various brand names planting instructions: Remove plastic bag and sleeve from around with perlite, vermiculite, soil and sand. potted plant(s). Discard any packing material GARDEN PREPARATION (soil preparation, depth, which end is up, etc.) clinging to the leaves or soil. Transplant into If your soil is clayish amend it with a standard garden soil a larger 12-16 inch container or together in for adequate drainage. larger containers with adequate drainage holes. PLANTING SPACING If planting into the garden space them 10-12 inches apart. If planting into a container allow for adequate air ventilation on deck or patio. Villa Roma Carmine Villa Roma Navy PLANT HEIGHT AND WIDTH These grow about 14-16 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. Planting Guide WATER They are incredibly sturdy plants that need no more care than average watering. These are exceptionally Remove plastic bag and sleeve from around potted heat tolerant, making them the perfect water wise plant plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the for your garden. leaves or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves or FERTILIZER 1 spent flowers that may have occurred during transit. If To promote more flowers use a well balanced fertilizer like step you cannot plant it into garden or larger pot within a Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) once a month Villa Roma Raspberry Villa Roma Red container few days, make sure it stays well watered. April through August. without trellis LIGHTING Transplant into a larger 10-12 inch container or These prefer full to part sun. More sun really makes a together in larger container with adequate drainage difference in blooming. holes. They can also be planted directly in garden BLOOMING 2 spacing adequately. Water in well. They bloom from early summer - early autumn. step TEMPERATURE ZONE 9 to 11 When nights stay above 50 degrees, place your plants outside and leave them there all season. You should place plants outside as long as evening WINTER SEASON temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. These are annuals and can’t take a freeze. In warm Villa Roma Red Villa Roma Rose 3 They grow in full sun to shade. Hanging Basket step winter areas, plants often do not rest even after 3 years!

Planted now they will produce flowers in late 4 spring to late summer. step

Villa Roma White Rose Villa Roma Pink

11-2016