P. Allen Smith has long been admired for his ability to create wonderful spaces, both indoors and out. The gardens and grounds he create are nothing short of amazing. P. Allen Smith and Proven Winners have created a Platinum Collection – A collection of annuals, perennials and shrubs that Allen has grown and tested in his gardens and has grown to love.

Here are a few of Allen’s favorite cool-colored annuals:  

Laguna Sky Blue Lobelia
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Butterflies

Soft blue flowers are in bloom all season on these cascading plants. Laguna varieties are compact yet full plants, covered in true blue or white blossoms. They are ideal low maintenance plants for hanging baskets, window boxes, containers, and landscapes. This plant doesn’t like “wet feet.” Allow the soil surface to dry before watering again.

Dark Knight Sweet Alyssum Lobularia
Bloom Time: Planting to Hard Frost
Heat Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Bees and Butterflies

An abundance of fragrant flowers grace this plant. And even in hot climates, it will bloom all summer. It is cold tolerant and heat tolerant. It will be quick to show drought stress, but should bounce back quickly once watered.

Snowstorm Blue Bubbles Bacopa Sutera
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost 
Drought Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary

Double blue flowers, sturdy branches and great summer performance make this a wonderful plant in the garden. To maintain constant bloom, you will either need to monitor the plant closely and water before the soil gets too dry or you could plant this Bacopa with a plant that does wilt (so you know when to re-water!).

Angelface Blue Summer Snapdragon Angelonia
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Heat Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Deer Resistant
Native to North America

This beautiful continuous bloomer is best planted in mid-spring or later, since they won’t really grow until the temperatures warm up. The plants are easy to care for, tolerating wet feet, a fair amount of drought with no deadheading needed. Don’t forget that Angelface are great long lasting cut flowers. Try some in a flower arrangement this year and see for yourself!

Señorita Rosalita Spider Flower Cleome
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost
Heat Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Birds and Butterflies

The magnificent dark leaves on Señorita Rosalita’s 3-5 feet tall branches are topped by clusters of bright, lavender pink flowers. This heat and drought tolerant plant adds dramatic height to landscape beds, blooming from late spring through fall!

Superbena Royale Chambray Verbena
Bloom Time: Planting to Frost 
Deadheading Not Necessary
Attracts: Butterflies
Resists: Deer
Native to North America

Superbena Royale Verbenas are vigorous, but will trail over the sides of containers. They will function as both spillers and fillers in combination planters and are best planted at the front of landscape beds. They will bloom earlier in the season and more easily in smaller containers than regular Superbena varieties.