Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Fleming Island Rachel, 0 by Kell

Kell wrote:
I so agree Gary. I do standards too for that exact reason plus they look neater too. Bushes can get so messy. Though I think you have me beat on numbers of big brugs. LOL. Of course I grow so many other things. I learned to do standards years ago with so many other kinds of plants. When you have a small space but great needs you need to do vertical gardening. I have more air rom than ground room. You get to have a huge canopy and also get to underplant with even more plants. LOL

I have over 60 rose bushes, some 72 inch standards that allow me to plant rose bushes under them. They still get enough sun for the standards start their top growth at the top of the 72 inches. Plus 10 huge crape myrtle standards, 6 tibouchina pruned to be trees that are a really good size, assorted fruit trees, many standard oleanders and so much more. I keep taking off the lowest branches as my standards grow up every year to allow more sun to shine under to all the first story plants.

My basic problem is life is I flit from one plant obsession to the next but I keep all the plants in each one as I go on my merry way. I rarely fall out of love, but just get new intense crushes that lead me astray.

This summer is the summer of succulents. I have a sea of small succulent pots which are driving me crazy. Next spring I will have many combo succulent BIG pots all over. You hardly can walk anymore in my yard anywhere. And no grass left. Today we are clearing a 12 ft by 15 ft rectangle to put up our winter hoophouse and it is so painful. My illness can't be hidden when confronted with how many plants I really have such as is happening today. My poor husband.

So are brugs your main love or do you grow other things with a similar passion?

Here is my courtyard in August. And these are all in pots except for the purple tibouchina in the back with are actually on the other side of the fence in my front yard.