Sometimes we get so caught up with the newest plant trends that we forget about the old tried-and-trues. I love a cool new agave or exotic bromeliad as much as the next gardener, but sometimes I just want to rely on some stand-by annuals. A friend of mine calls them “Granny plants”—you know, the flowers your Grandma used to plant. There’s a reason these plants are old favorites: they’re easy to care for, undemanding, and seem to bloom endlessly. Tuck them in around your new exotic finds for an interesting mix of old and new, or commit an entire section of your garden to the retro look!

Geraniums: These quaint old-fashioned flowers come in hues of red, white, pink and salmon. Water regularly, but let them slightly dry before watering again. Remove dead flower stalks at the base for months of color. Full to part sun is a must.

Petunias: Petunias have a lovely cascading effect with an impossibly long bloom time, so plant them in a sunny window box or planter for summer color. Choose from purple, pink, red and white hues. Remember to deadhead the old flowers to encourage more bloom. If your petunias begin looking “leggy” mid-summer, shear them back by a ½ inch and they’ll grow back with bushier foliage and flowers into the fall.

Marigolds: Marigolds are such a sunny, cheerful flower, ranging in shades of yellow and orange. Keep them regularly watered and remove the flowers when they’re done blooming. Also, be sure to plant them in full sun for the best bloom.

Happy Gardening!