The hot garden color this year is yellow, and it is spicing up home sales across the country. Annuals abound in every shade and hue from butter to dayglo! Some garden experts suggest choosing bright shades for sunny spots, and using pastel yellows for the shady areas of the garden.

Among the yellow annuals are some old-time favorites: pansy, zinnia, black-eyed Susan, coreopsis, Dahlberg and African daisy, and everlasting--or strawflower.

There are a number of unusual, less common yellow annuals as well: Crested cockscomb, cape marigold, monkey flower, moss rose, ornamental kale, and Iceland or California poppy--both kale and the poppies have striking yellow cultivars.

It is suggested that yellow annual flowers be used in borders or beds with the tallest annuals at the back of the border or center of the bed. Shorter species should be used in the front.

Shady spots can be brightened up with plantings of yellow feverfew, Johnny-jump-up, and evening primrose. According to Richard Koogle, director of operations at Lilypons Water Gardens, the Top Ten Plants being used in Water Gardens include:

1. ‘Pink Beauty,’ an easy-to-grow lily
2. ‘James Brydon,’ a hardy lily that floats
3. ‘Indiana,’ a plant with blossoms that turn from yellow to russet in five days
4. ‘Giverny Red,’ a brilliant red lily
5. ‘Panama Pacific,’ a tropical lily with purple flowers and butter yellow centers
6. ‘Momo Boton,’ a miniature lotus
7. Variegated Japanese iris
8. 'Taro,' a plant with black and green leaves and dark centers
9. ‘Golden Reed,’ a yellow-striped foliage
10. Variegated cattails

Transforming Tomorrow

According to Rolf Jensen in The Dream Society, “In the eyes of some analysts, the market for CD-ROM games and for “edutainment” has disappointed expectations. One of the explanations is that although the Information Society does provide us with new media, the result is not necessarily an increasing number of good storytellers. Wanted: stories.”

The world of tomorrow is going to demand that we do a better job of telling stories. All kinds of stories. Stories about family, friends, products, services, things that are real and things that are imaginary. What stories do you tell?