Container check

Since it's the middle of summer, I thought we might do a couple "container progress reports."  (you know I'll feature them all, at the end of summer, when they've all reached their peak)  Most have filled out nicely now and are becoming the focal points I created them to be.  The best of the bunch (I won't make you wait till the end of the post) is the "Papyrus" Container:

The container itself is three foot tall and now the tallest of the "ingredients" (the 'King Tut' papyrus) is approaching five feet!  The 'Tropicanna' Canna hasn't bloomed yet but that's okay, I just love the foliage here.  I can tell you, it makes quite an impression on visitors approaching the front door. I also know I will be experimenting with 'Papyrus' more in the future ~ it's been a really fun addition.

The newest container, is one I recently re-did.  I combined morning glories (which had previously been growing on an obelisk in a separate pot) with the contents of another smaller pot creating one larger container.  

From this angle it mostly looks like a tower of green but believe it or not, it should be quite colorful.  There is a 'Wyoming' canna (which I'm hoping will do better now with more room), bat-faced Cuphea, Marine heliotrope, purple calibrachoa and White Cat's Whiskers (Orthosiphon Aristatus).  The Cat's Whiskers (or Cat's Mustache ~ whichever you prefer) pictured below, is an annual (in my zone) that I've wanted to grow for a long time:

I was lucky enough to find plants on one of my nursery runs this spring.  Isn't it cool?  and you can certainly see how it got named.  If I could only find seeds for the purple variety, I would be in heaven... (hint, hint)

On the back patio, the Brugmansia container is suffering.  The winds have beat it around terribly (notice the torn up the foliage) but despite the elements, it has produced one bloom (earlier than I've ever had one before):

 

It usually waits until right before frost to do that.  I've had this plant for three or four years now and I'm not sure why?  I've come to the conclusion that Brugmansias and our Colorado climate do not mix.  Every year I threaten to compost it then can't bring myself to do it.  We'll see if it gets hauled to the basement (to live another season) this fall or not.  Oh, around the base of the container, I've planted 'Million Kisses' begonias, in case you were wondering.

I have many more containers but the final one I thought we'd review is the 'Croton' container.  It may have peaked ~ I'm not sure if the Lysimachia congestiflora (bottom left of photo) will keep blooming or not??

This is my first year growing it and right now it seems to be over.  Photo above was taken two weeks ago.

How about your containers?  Are you happy with the results?  Have some ideas of what to do differently (or repeat) next season?

Comments

[Nancy Bond]

Your containers have filled out beautifully, Kathleen. My poor pots still look pretty pathetic -- it's been a horrible summer weather-wise. If not unbearably hot and humid, it's been wet and windy. But they're still a splash of colour on the deck. :)

[marnie]

I love all your containers and I'm pretty happy with mine too. The pink penta, pink zinnia, blue sage combos are pretty and attracting butterflies.

My gardening is on hold, maybe for the rest of the year. My father's health isn't better and all my energy is going there. I'm lucky to find time to keep them watered. One day at a time...
Marnie

[Gail]

You do great containers Kathleen~I like mine~especially the Lemon grass I've been using~double duty food and pretty as a thriller-filler, it's planted with lantana, salvia, a variegated ground ivy and a few purple leaved perennials.

Gail

[Kala]

I do not have any containers, but I am enjoying yours and the amazing things you do with them.

[northern Shade]

You have such a wide variety of container plantings, with lots of different designs. The container by your front door is a real eye-catcher. The colours combine so well, and I love the shape it makes, with the papyrus light and air on top the large Croton, the smaller coleus and the flowers cascading over the side.

I put a lot of double flowering tuberous begonia into all of my containers this year. My favourite one has Colocasia 9elephant ear), begonia, impatiens and lobelia. My second favourite has a tall calla lily, with begonia and lobelia.

[Racquel]

Your containers are always so colorful and interesting. I would of never thought of combining some of those plants in a pot. :)

[RobinL]

You really have a flare for containers Kathleen, they are fabulous! It's funny, but one of my favorite containers is the last one I made with odds and ends. I didn't think there was any way they would look good together, but by adding one little touch, it has grown into a lovely one indeed!