Geranium 'Mosquito Shocker'

Flowers of Geranium ‘Moskito Shocker’

Within our Geranium collection lives a cultivar that is different from the others, a scented variety called ‘Moskito Shocker’. Its primary appeal is its citronella scent, but this plant also brings very lacy foliage and small lavender flowers to the summer decor scene.

Citronella Geraniums comprise a popular niche market for those who want a gentle, kid-and-pet friendly way of warding off unwanted insects. We chose this variety because it has about three times the oil that is usually found in other citronella Geraniums. Also, we wanted a cultivar that could branch out beyond the specialty herb bench, one that looks nice enough to fold into professional projects like displays, containers, and landscapes. ‘Moskito Shocker’ rises to the task, while still performing the duties of the job title in its name.

 
Two contrasts work together with busy textures in a Field Day garden

A Field Day garden that turned out well was a mix of Pentas ‘Lucky Star Pink’ and Salvia ‘Mysty’. It worked two strong contrasts simultaneously, tied together by their busy textures. First there is contrast of dark versus light. Visually, we associate dark items as distant or far, and we perceive light-colored items as positioned closer to us. In this mix, dark and light line right up with expectations, which gives the presentation an additional layer of satisfaction.

Pentas ‘Lucky Star Pink’ is a warm pink up front

A garden’s shape doesn’t matter as long as the darker Salvia is in the back to form a screen or curtain behind the Pentas that’s performing up front, or downstage. A second contrast is warm versus cool is and it’s a subtler one. ‘Lucky Star Pink’ is a warm pink, whereas ‘Mysty’ is a cool blue.

Of course, contrast is nothing without a common ground to level the playing field. Here, it is the texture of the flowers on both plants: intricate clusters of florets are horizontal for one and vertical for the other. Again, there is contrast, but that is the fun of designing this type of garden. Another common bond— both Salvia and Pentas are beneficial pollinator plants. Try this combination with some of our summer Pentas and Salvia varieties—available in the 8-inch pot.

Salvia ‘Mysty’ is the cool blue

 
Coleus ‘French Quarter’—a Kong-style look on a smaller scale

Eye-catching ‘French Quarter’ Coleus remains very popular. It offers a similar look to the Kong series, only in a smaller package—plus it’s a sun Coleus. Use Kong where you need a larger footprint—in mass plantings or spacious landscape beds. ‘French Quarter’ is a better choice for containers and window boxes—wherever you need some funky foliage on a smaller scale and not necessarily in shade.

Unique color patterns of Coleus ‘Kong Rose’

‘French Quarter’ and ‘Kong Rose’ Coleus are shipping now in the 8-inch pot.