Hearts and Flowers – A Charming Groundcover for Containers and Landscapes

Hearts and Flowers is a delightful hybrid flowering groundcover that brings charm and visual interest to gardens and landscape beds With its petite green and white variegated foliage and pink blooms, this carefree plant is perfect for adding pops of color to outdoor spaces In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about growing Hearts and Flowers as an ornamental groundcover.

Overview of Hearts and Flowers

Hearts and Flowers (Calibrachoa x hybrida ‘Cangetta Pink’) is a hybrid cross between two South American plants – petunia and calibrachoa. It belongs to the Solanaceae family along with tomatoes potatoes, and eggplants.

This spreading ground hugger has a mounded form reaching just 3-6 inches tall but spreading 12-24 inches wide. Its tiny oval leaves emerge green with white margins in spring, creating a lace-like effect. Starting in early summer, it bears profuse bell-shaped single blooms in shades of pink, purple, or white. The blooms appear continuously until fall frost.

Hearts and Flowers thrives in full sun exposure. It is drought tolerant once established but flowers more prolifically with regular water. This versatile plant can grow in beds, borders, rock gardens, spilling over walls, in mixed containers and beyond. Its petite size makes it perfect for smaller urban gardens.

Growing Conditions for Hearts and Flowers

Hearts and Flowers may be a small plant but it packs a big visual punch. Follow these simple tips for successfully growing this eye-catching groundcover:

• Sun: Full sun is required for best growth and maximal blooms. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day is ideal. Morning sun is especially important.

• Soil: Hearts and Flowers is adaptable to most well-draining soils including sandy, loamy and clay. Soil should be evenly moist but not waterlogged.

• pH: An ideal pH range is between 5.5 to 7.5. Neutral to slightly acidic soil is preferred.

• Water: Drought tolerance makes this plant suitable for xeriscaping. However, regular water encourages heavier blooming. Water daily the first season and 1-2 times per week after establishment.

• Temperature: Hardy in zones 9-11, Hearts and Flowers thrives in warm weather. It can tolerate high heat and humidity. Avoid cold below 25°F.

• Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Don’t overfertilize which can cause floppy growth.

How to Plant Hearts and Flowers Groundcover

Hearts and Flowers is sold at garden centers in cell packs or plastic pots. For planting:

• Prepare soil with compost or organic material to improve drainage. Remove weeds and break up heavy clay if needed.

• Space plants 10-12 inches apart in garden beds, borders or containers. Closer spacing creates a quick, dense mat.

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball. Set the plant at the same level it was growing in the nursery container.

• Backfill soil and water thoroughly after planting. Apply a lightweight mulch like shredded bark to retain moisture.

• Water daily for 2 weeks until established. Gradually reduce to twice a week watering for the first year.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Hearts and Flowers flourishes with minimal care. Follow these tips for healthy, vigorous growth:

• Pinch back leggy shoots in early summer to encourage bushier, compact growth habit.

• Deadhead spent blooms regularly to sustain flowering from June-September.

• Cut plants back halfway in late fall. Evergreen in mild zones, it dies back with hard frost.

• Divide congested plants every 2-3 years either in spring or fall to rejuvenate.

• Avoid wet leaves, which can lead to fungal issues like powdery mildew. Provide good air circulation.

• Watch for aphids and whiteflies, which can be controlled by insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Ideas for Using Hearts and Flowers in Landscaping

The versatility of Hearts and Flowers suits it to diverse landscape uses:

• Plant in mixed beds and borders for pops of color. Combine with perennials like salvia, yarrow and coreopsis.

• Allow it to cascade over walls, raised planters, hanging baskets or container edges.

• Underplant roses, shrubs, small trees and vegetable gardens to suppress weeds.

• Use as a colorful erosion control groundcover on slopes and embankments.

• Feature in pollinator gardens since its nectar-rich blooms attract bees and butterflies.

• Combine different Hearts and Flowers varieties like white and pink for contrast.

With its trouble-free nature, vivid blooms, and adaptability, Hearts and Flowers promises to be a treasured addition to gardens and landscape beds. This stellar groundcover offers beauty, versatility, and easy care.