Bicolored Flowers Add Garden Interest

Whether the contrasting color edges the petal, is on the back of the petal or blends with the main color, the effect is often unforgettable. White color combinations are not always as suitable for a massed color effect, they are particularly useful for specimen or accent planting, where they can be seen closely. Roses have outstanding color combinations. One of the first of these was the "Fort Niner." The "Forty Niner" has bright red petals backed with clear, bright yellow.

Another striking bicolor of more recent introduction is "Snowfire," which has deep scarlet petals backed with white. The blending of colors is also popular. The "Double Delight," produces creamy white buds that are broadly edged with a deep ruby red. There are many other roses that mix colors. Even floribunda types are included such as "Circus," "Hedgold and "Woburn Abbey." Roses are not the only source of two-toned flowers. Tuberous begonias, available in the picotee types, may be either white or yellow with pink or red edges.

Similar bicolor begonias are available in the tuberous. "Crispa rnarginala" begonias Developments in the ever blooming fiberons-routed begonias have led to similar color combinations. A new garden bedding type of begonia called "Glamour Picotee" has flowers that are white with a pink edge. A striking dianthus called "Merry-Go Round" has a large red center surrounded by the clear white of the remainder of the petal. There is also the striking red and yellow contrast in the beautiful "Gloriosa Lily." This climbing lily needs a sheltered spot and rich soil with excellent drainage. It is not winter hardy.

For color combinations in plan plants much easier to grow, there are petunias that have white added to many colors in star forms or other patterns. Zinnias also have been developed to combine several colors in a single flower. Varieties such as "Peppermint Stick," and "Old Mexico" are interesting multicolored types. We can even welcome spring with bicolored flowers such as the two-toned daffodils and in some tulip varieties with many color patterns.

Even flowering houseplants offer bicolored accents. Cinerareas, popular in the spring, may have a wide white band around their center to contrast sharply with vivid blue, red or pink on the rest of each petal. White eyelanea are very striking when a spot of red forms the "eye" of the flower Gloxinias often have a band of white around the edge of their petals, and African violets have been developed with similar bicolored effects.

http://www.flowerpossibilities.com/varieties.html