Other important things to remember when trying to achieve healthy, pest free plants, is to select plants:

• Suitable for the particular site
• Suitable for the soil
• For which you are able to meet the irrigation requirements
• For which the necessary sunlight and temperature requirements can be met

Additionally, with annual plants, it is critical to plant during the optimum season. If it's a cool season flower, like pansy, plant in September while the weather is still warm enough for the plant to put on good growth before shifting into flower production, or in March so it will be growing during the cool spring.

Alyssum--Newer varieties such as 'Wonderland' and 'Snow Crystal' (with larger flowers) stay compact, unlike older types, and look good all season long. Quite drought tolerant.

Celosias--In our trial, the plume and cockscomb types that looked good and performed well included: the Century Series(particularly 'Century Fire'), New Look and Kimono Series (all plume types), 'Jewel Box' and 'Empress Blend' (both cockscomb types). Quite drought tolerant.

Coleus-- There are many colors to choose from, all of which perform well if given some shade and plenty of moisture.

Coreopsis-- Two of the newer varieties that I think are outstanding, are 'Early Sunrise' and 'Sunray'. They are compact, growing to about 12" - 16" and don't flop out. They look best when dead headed periodically. Quite drought tolerant.

Dianthus-- At our trial, we were really impressed with the very large flowering 'Baby Dolls' series, Snowfire, and the Princess and Parfait Series. Quite drought tolerant after well established.

Dusty Miller-- There are six different Genera and species that have the common name of Dusty Miller. One that got good marks was a dwarf, curly leafed type. Very drought tolerant.

Impatiens-- These are some of the most used bedding plants available. They are virtually trouble free, but I have had trouble with aphids causing distortion of the foliage and browning of the flowers. By controlling the ants and using an insecticidal soap to knock down the aphids and possible thrips (which I never found, but suspected) the plants got back into shape. They are generally considered a shade plant, but do quite well in full sun in Bay Area, given ample moisture.

Lobelia-- All varieties are a delight and grow best in light shade with ample moisture. Two varieties that I'm particularly fond of are 'Cobalt' and 'String of Pearls'. A newer variety which we grew in our plot, has extra large flowers and is called 'Blue Butterfly'. It deteriorated earlier than all the other varieties under drought stress.

Dwarf Plumbago-- One of my favorite groundcovers with the loveliest true blue flowers. It is very drought tolerant and blooms almost year round, being in its peak during the fall.

Poppy--Can provide a nice show of flowers in the spring with only winter rain, but their bloom season can be prolonged by continued irrigation.

Salvia--The one we were really impressed with in our trial was 'Mini Victoria'. This is the beautiful dwarf purple flowered and purple velvet stemmed plant that is really a perennial, but is often treated as an annual. It blooms for 5 - 6 months and is quite drought tolerant.

Vinca--Last but not least, this has my vote for being the most trouble-free, tough, and beautiful bedding plant I know. It blooms from spring through fall. It was very drought tolerant, more so than any other plant in our trial, blooming freely and having dark green, glossy leaves after receiving no irrigation for five weeks. There are some improved colors and forms becoming available, so if the older ones didn't thrill you keep a look out for the newer, improved ones.

Oxalis--There are several different species and varieties of ornamentals oxalis with flowers ranging in color from white, pink, yellow to rose. The foliage varies in size, configuration, and markings. Some grow from rhizomes or bulbs. Oxalis are perennials, most of which can go dry in the summer. All species except O. oregana can be grown as house plants in a sunny window.