When I say Magenta you say.......

I'm helping clean up a woman's yard in my neighborhood and she has a passion for the color magenta or anything close to it. I was hoping to find some potted flowers for her as well as a shrub/tree. Also some kind of Hong Kong Orchid would be nice. All help appreciated.

For pots - Impatiens and coleus both have some beautiful magenta plants - here is a pic from last year --

Dax

And here is a pot of magenta impatiens brightening up a shady area -

Try purple/red basil - it is really a dark magenta color and she can cook with it.

dax080 that coleus is gorgeous. Does it take any sun or is a shade plant? I love the garden area you have it in. I'm in Texas; not sure if it would grow here as it gets soooo hot in the summer. There are coleus that do grow, but I've never seen any as beautiful as that one.

It DOES take morning sun, it actually is more colorful with some sun, but should be in shade during the heat of the day. This is a pretty new cultivar - "Marie" - here's a link -

http://www.rosydawngardens.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=4

My plant is brighter than the picture because I give it some sun -- here's a pic of another pot - the two showcased the perennials and annuals between them -

Dax

dax080, you have a very inspiring yard. I can see what I want our yard to look like. Please keep posting pictures!!! :-) This is the first year in our house so we have vowed to just wait to see what our "new" yard has in store for us but since the previous owner loved Ivy I know that we have lots of opportunities to put our personal stamp on the yard. Thanks again for the great pics Nick

Thanks so much, Nick - Here's a link to my Garden Tour - hope you enjoy it - I don't have it entirely updated for 2009 - but maybe it will give some ideas -- Dax

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/580634/

dax080, I took your garden tour. It's just beautiful!! I'm anxious to try growing some of these beauties. They may not take to our heat, but I definitely want to try. Your garden is just spectacular and so inviting to just pull up a chair and sit awhile. A much needed respite in this cold dismal weather that we Texans are unacustomed to. I can hardly wait for spring and giving them a try. Thanks for the pics.

Jan

Thanks for your kind words, Jan - I really need to get in there and update some of the other files -- I changed all the paths last year, which gave a new dimension to many of the beds --

I just seem to be busy all the time, though, and it will probably still be awhile -- Dax

Jzgator,

I have an orchid tree (Bauhinia) but not the Hong Kong variety. I think the only difference is the Hong Kong does not produce seed pods after flowering. Mine reproduces like a weed when those pods drop. I pick those trees out of my St. Augustine grass lol! She will love the tree! Where I am, it grows to over 20', so keep that in mind where you're putting it.

This message was edited Feb 15, 2010 2:32 PM

My immediate thought is an Azalea. I have a bank of magenta Azaleas in my front yard. They are gorgeous when blooming in the spirngtime.

Thanks, everyone.
Dax, not sure that would grow here in muggy FL? That coleus is nice

I have these magenta flowers in my garden, in deep south Texas: gomphrena globosa, vincas, rocky purslane and dwarf bougaivilleas. They are all perennials and heat resistant.

Hi - I know for sure about the Coleus and Impatiens - they love the heat and humidity, as long as the soil drains. My daughter lives in the Orlando area, and those two are in all the nurseries around there, and I've seen them growing -- so I think they will do well for you -- Dax