I'm wondering if everyone is sick of seeing posts about my containers yet? I really do go a bit overboard (you think???!!) Hopefully other gardeners understand it's a way for me to cram more plants into my small garden. This container is the one I posted about earlier where I bought a cheap pedestal base from Hobby Lobby (I think it was $12.00??) and spray painted it glossy black to match the container I already had. I positioned it on a step leading to my front door so I could view it from inside as well as outside. To mix things up a bit (instead of planting them separately like I did last year), I added two succulents to the front of the container. I am the first to admit I know very little about succulents, (I searched and searched for the tags to identify these properly) but was unable to find them. If anyone happens to know the correct names, please let me know so I can accurately label the photos. I do "happen" to have some nice individual shots of most plants in this container, including what I refer to as the "bluish" succulent:
Even tho this container receives just 5 hours of full sun a day, it was enough to keep said "bluish" succulent happily blooming throughout the summer and even into fall. The blooms are very delicate and interesting looking on their own, aren't they??
I was told by the nursery (where I bought the succulents) to keep my handling to a minimum to prevent abrading & bruising them unnecessarily? I tried to follow those instructions since I know no differently. The centerpiece of the container has to be the black & blue salvia (Salvia guaranitica). It really should have received more sunlight for optimal performance but luckily it bloomed fairly well anyway:
The notes I made for myself this garden season include planting more of this salvia next year. Besides how strikingly attractive it is, the hummingbirds absolutely adored it. They would perch on the tiny trellis, inserted in the middle of the container, and defend it as much as any feeder I had hanging for them! That's a "proven winner" in my book. The other two plants included in this container are the 'Lemon Star' (Thunbergia alata) or Black-eyed susan vine and 'Troy's Gold' Plectranthus (Plectranthus ciliatus). Our altitude is so high and the sun so intense, I think 'Lemon Star' enjoyed the sun deficit but not so much the plectranthus. I plan to take cuttings of the latter for next year and try again in a more suitable location. If you'd like to see a photo of 'Troy's Gold,' click here. If you're still with me, my apologies for getting so carried away with this container. I knew I liked it but that was pretty verbose even for me!!
I never get tired of seeing your lovely container plantings Kathleen! :) I like the combination of the pedestal with this container. They look like one unit. Black & Blue Salvia is one of my favorite plants at the moment.
Posted by: Racquel | October 03, 2008 at 01:04 PM
I love seeing your containers. I do wonder if you spend 8 hours a day watering;)
Really, you do a wonderful job of combining interesting plants in unusual containers.
Marnie
Posted by: Marnie | October 03, 2008 at 01:30 PM
I agree with Marnie, you do a wonderful job of combining plants. And I love that you use unusual and standards in such an interesting way. Also, what a great idea to find a pedestal and spray paint it to match your container. Always inetersted in see others' ideas for containers.
Posted by: Beckie | October 03, 2008 at 01:39 PM
No, I am not sick of seeing your containers! I need to incorporate them into my garden. Now that is a gorgeous blue salvia!
Gail
Posted by: Gail | October 03, 2008 at 03:18 PM
You've been very inventive with your containers and plantings. The asymmetric arrangement works well in that location, a pretty combination of flowers and foliage.
Posted by: Northern Shade | October 03, 2008 at 09:05 PM
No one is getting tired of seeing your containers! You've done a beautiful job with them. I really like the way you spray painted your pedestal black... very dramatic! :-)
Posted by: Shady Gardener | October 03, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Thanks everyone for all your comments and compliments on my container arrangements (and for reassuring me that you're not tired of seeing them).
To Marnie ~ chuckling at the thought of me watering 8 hours a day!! Because this summer was so hot and dry I did water everyday but it only takes me about 30 minutes. It's an enjoyable task for me. I do it late in the evening or early in the morning. I also try to use larger containers (all with a saucer) to ensure they won't dry out as fast.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 04, 2008 at 08:47 AM