Cultivate the soil surrounding these plants for best results. They prefer well-drained soil and require full sun or shade, depending on the species. If you plant from nursery six-packs, loosen the root ball gently, then place each plant in fresh potting soil, making sure you don't bury the crown of the plant. Impatiens make good container or bedding plants. Grown for their brilliant and varied foliage, these tropical plants require partial shade, ample water and a rich, fast-draining soil.
Plants stay more compact if their flower spikes are pinched back.
Many types are available, ranging in size from a few inches to a few feet in height. Marigolds come in white, yellow, red, orange and combinations of those colors. Many believe that marigolds help repel insect pests, so they're often planted in and around vegetable patches. Plant them later in the season, and they'll bloom until the first frost. Well-drained soil is mandatory, as verbenas won't tolerate wet roots.