Superbells Coral Sun offers the garden flaming color

Just saying the word Coral Sun warms the spirit and makes one forget the impending split of the Polar Vortex and plunge into a deep winter. Yes, Coral Sun conjures up a vision of a South Pacific sunset, sitting on a beach with an adult fruit drink with one of those tiny umbrellas.

Let me assure you that name also gives you the promise of flaming flowers of color falling out of baskets and containers on your porch patio or deck. Coral Sun is the newest color of Superbells calibrachoa, bringing the total to a whopping 42.

This remarkable calibrachoa features hot coral petals and what is described as a sunny yellow center, and The Garden Guy has fallen deep in love with it. You too will love these orange colors when they drape from baskets and containers, as they make the heart start pumping.

Orange is the color in the garden that cannot be overlooked. It is the hallmark color from the hot side of the color wheel. It just reaches out and grabs you. Blue is the complementary or opposite color for orange and is a marriage made in gardening heaven. Whether you want a marriage or not, orange can stand and dazzle all on its own.

When orange seems too bold, you can always tone it down by using its cousins: apricot and coral. You will find these in Superbells Coralina and Dreamsicle. Superbells also comes in a Tangerine Punch that is simply dazzling, and, like Dreamsicle, has won a dozen awards from Georgia to Penn State. It has hot tangerine petals and a burgundy orange eye. Proven Winners introduced calibrachoas

Proven Winners introduced calibrachoas almost 25 years ago. Now that we have settled into winter, I urge everyone to go to the Proven Winners website, pick out your favorite calibrachoa and then read the growing tips. It will put you on your way to the green thumb. As years have passed, we truly see the Superbells calibrachoa as one of the best buys on the planet for your gardening dollar.

Superbells Coral Sun, like the others I have mentioned, will get about 12-inches tall with a 24-inch spread. They are packed with an extra-long season of enormous blooming potential. While I have had good luck growing them in raised beds rich in organic matter, their best performance will always be in containers.

Baskets, containers, window boxes, bowls, urns and olive jars with a premium fluffy light potting soil will give you a look and artistic design possibilities that are limitless. You are the Monet of this creation, be bold. Since their complementary color is blue, The Garden Guy loves partnerships with Supertunia Royal Velvet petunia, Supertunia Bordeaux, Whirlwind Blue scaevola and Angelface Cascade Blue summer snapdragon.

Since the Superbells Coral Sun and Dreamsicle are such prolific bloomers, it is counting on you to keep it fed. During the warm growing season, containers are watered on a regular daily regimen which will leach out the nutrients. You can use controlled release granules per your formula recommendation. But don’t be afraid to use a dilute, watersoluble fertilizer at least once a week like many commercial landscapers.

Get to know your plants and at just the right time, perhaps late July or early August, and they may just tell you to give them a little trim. This cutting back will pay huge dividends going into fall for an extended season of blooms. Orange — like in Coral Sun, Tangerine Punch and Dreamsicle — will always be The Garden Guy’s Colors of the Year list. Follow me on Facebook @ NormanWinterTheGardenGuy for more photos and garden inspiration.