2015 Vintage Wheelbarrow

I never thought I would beat the zinnia/lantana plant combo for my vintage wheelbarrow but I may have just done it this year!

Last Spring, long before planting ever began, I decided upon a color palette of purples, pinks, blues & chartreuse green.

After that, the fun began.  Assembling colors, habits, shapes, etc.... 

Following is a complete list of all plantings in the container: (1) 'Electric Star' Cordyline, (2) Nicotiana langsdorfii, (2) Persian Shield, (1) gal container 'Black & Blue' Salvia, (1) gal container unknown purple Salvia, (1) Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' & (3) Petunias 'Cascadias Rim Magenta.'

Now that it's typed out, what a LOT of plants!  No wonder it's overflowing to the max. (but in the best possible kind of way!)

Above:  A better view of Nicotiana langsdorfii

I love those dainty green bells but unfortunately they get "lost" in many of the views.

Above:  Nicotiana langsdorfii just beginning to bloom with Clematis 'Betty Corning' in the background.  This photo was taken earlier in the season.

The wonderful thing about this combination, besides its abundance, is how attractive it is to bees & hummingbirds.   It is always loaded with winged visitors.  :) 

 

 

Since we're already on the front patio, we might as well take a peek at few other containers there.

Aeonium 'Kiwi' Container

Begonia "lantern" hanging under the Bur Oak.

One afternoon, I looked outside and was very sorry I hadn't filled the birdbath (like I usually do every single morning)

Of all the days, a baby Blue Jay was trying hard to take a bath in just a tiny bit of water.  

You know I trotted right out after they were finished & filled it up.  I have not forgotten that job again either!

Lately, I've also been seeing Monarch butterflies more abundantly than I have the past few years.  Even more exciting, I've noticed them fluttering about the milkweed foliage (blooms long spent.)  I sure hope to find some caterpillars soon!

Earlier in the summer, Western Tiger Swallowtails enjoyed the blooms from that same plant.

I can't believe there's only five days left in August ~ where did the month go?  I'm feeling almost a little desperate about clinging onto what's left of summer.  As always, I wish for a gentle, graceful transition to fall as we close out this month & get ever closer to that new season...

 

 

 

Comments

[Robin]

So much going on there in your lovely gardens Kathleen, that I hardly knew where to look first! The old wheelbarrow, the butterflies, begonias, succulents, swoon!

[Dana]

I love the vintage wheelbarrow planting and can't wait to get up there to see it in person. Your front patio is just such a wonderful place to be. I haven't seen one Monarch this year - so sad about that. Had Swallowtails earlier in the summer but I'm not seeing them anymore either. I'm so sad summer is ending and I sure hope it doesn't freeze until October or later! Another wonderful blog!

[Nancy Anderson]

This has to be one of my favorite posts. Beautiful! I need you to come east and do my yard!:-)