Well you sure wouldn't know it! I thought for sure that you must be a Master Gardener....everything is so gorgeous!
Are there any plants that can't co-exist, other than their needing sun vs shade, water....I'm a beginner at this, but sure want to learn. All I've ever done is put one plant in one pot and was thankful it lived! So far I haven't killed too many, but this is definately an avenue I want to persue! It is gorgeous! You have done a fabulous job!
You have multiple plants, but it is very well organized and artistically becoming to the eye! You get an A++++++++ from me. I would gladly be one of your students!
Container Renovations! (smile)
You know what Texgal? All I do is just plant! I find some great annual or perennial and think about combinations. I'll try anything and sometimes, the best combo's I come up with are just leftover's. Like I mentioned before, it's my first year with Container Gardening and this has been a great experiment to know what really thrives and survives in this heat. Probably the only disapointment I've had is, mixing in Calabrichoa (sp?) (million bells), which I love...and it just dying off. It's been a first time for so many things I've planted this year and it really has been rewarding. I really enjoy planting the permanent palms in big containers and surrounding them with annuals. Everything is really changeable though...that is the beauty of container gardening.
As far as co-existing, it's all trial and error. Dave's Garden has really helped me a lot though as it's such a wonderful wealth of information.
There are so many interesting threads...I've been in Awe over this one. I had no idea there were so many "white flowers". Wouldn't a moonlight garden be incredible?
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/732442/
Kat
Absolutely! Our back yard is done in mostly tropicals, banana trees, Mexican fan palm, Majesty palm, Yukka's, Hibiscus, Plumerias, Ferns, other misc tropicals, and lots of daylilies. I just love to go out there in the evening and light the Tiki Torches. We put on some Hawaiian music...and remember when we used to live in the islands in the 60's!
Your "jungle" is much more organized than mine, but little by little I would like to add some nice companion container arrangements after seeing yours. You are so inspiring! Keep up the good work!
Texasgal...it sure sounds interesting and wonderful. I'm lucky because this is a new property and it hasn't had the chance to overgrow yet. But as you can see with the containers...it's something you can control and change. Just love that, but I still like the natural look also and hope to get my outside plantings to that point one of these days. I'm not familiar with Baytown TX, but I'm really surprised you can grow so many tropicals. Dayum...Texas is one big State though, with so many variations in climate.
Right now, We're in the peak heat of the season and I'm really fortunate that these containers are thriving. They're sucking up the water like there's no tomorrow...but that's part of the whole thing. There's nothing more relaxing to me than getting home from work and going out at night and wandering from pot to pot with the hose! hehe. Hey...everybody has there own little idiosyncracies!
I want to do a major renovation, but am going to wait until October when it cools off here...things are growing crazy right now...even in a pot!
I'm really in the learning stages of container gardening and sometimes the outcome of the grown pot just amazes you. This one though is kind of strange. I'm thinking of adding in some colorful annual and I think it would be really cool...
This little planter is really growing nicely. It's kind of "plasticy" but really is kind of cute when things grow. I planted a combination of herbs and flowers but I just love going out here and cutting off a bunch of basil, parsley or rosemary when I'm cooking! I think I'm going to order another one of these and plant it with flowers and mix it with my other containers...
After finding the best buy at Lowes...I bought another couple of these metal trellises and attached them to the outside of my pool cage. Going to plant my 2 Stephanotis on them when it gets a little cooler. Great trellises for $22 a piece though...
Your plants really have grown! I like the stacked pots. Where did you order those from?
We are about 20 miles South East of downtown Houston. It's pretty warm here most of the year. Normally our only really cold months are Jan and Feb., so it's not bad at all.
I love those trellises! I think you got a great bargain!
I really like those little stacked planters...I think I'm going to order another one and plant it with all kinds of overflowing flowers. This place had the least expensive price and the most variety, shapes and sizes...fast shipping also.
http://www.aracelystackers.com/
Oh my goodness...talk about finally being able to get out into the yard. I've had a little rodent problem in the Lizard Lounge and it just makes me feel sick! They freak me out! However, today...my guy and I just tore through everything, trimmed long vines, moved and pruned containers, I put my 2 Stephanotis on the trellises, just cleaned up the Jungle!!! Didn't see one rat out there and am hoping it was only used for a maternity ward! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh.
I really feel so much better though, now that things are getting back to normal. I haven't been out for a couple of weeks and it's unreal how things can get out of hand.
Pic: Elephant ears are really doing well in these containers. This is the trimmed back version...The gaura and diamond frost have gone crazy as well.
This Macho fern container is really doing well, but as you can see...everything is growing crazy. I'm just waiting until we get a little cooler weather before I start renovating. (Do you think it was St. Francis that invited the mice in? haha)
Got some really cool statuary objects for my birthday. Love the color, as they look old and blend in so nicely.
The Jungle at night...
Everything looks wonderful Kat! It has grown a whole bunch. Love the coleus in the stacking planter in that first pic tonight. Your EE's are humongous! Everything looks so pretty. I love the new statuary. Looks like it will fit in beautifully with your scheme.
Janet
Thanks Janet...Like I mentioned, I just can't wait for a little bit of cooler weather. Get back into some Calibrochoa and pretty annuals. I'm sure you understand, as I don't think your summer climate is too much different from ours. I suppose I'm pretty fortunate that things are surviving in this heat...but boy, do they suck up the water! I am getting smarter though and giving them more roomier pots! haha.
I just adore that little stacked planter and am probably going to order another one. Somebody gave me a great idea the other day on another thread. I think they do look a little "Plastic" and apparently there is a paint available now for plastics in all different colors...you could really dress them up! This one did really turn out cute though and I still have a bunch of herbs that are doing well. It really doesn't need a lot of water either as it has quite a reservior system.
Because of the mouse problem...I moved a bunch of containers to the front of the house. GIGANTIC asparagus fern combos! Mostly anything that was dragging on the Pool deck...is GONE and relocated! hahaha. I think my front entrance is going to be my new project! I'm dreaming of Huge pots of Impatiences! HA!
Kat, it's been fun to watch the evolution of your containers. It's that time of year when trimming back gets done all over the country. I just finished giving haircuts to several of my plants. Others, like my calibrachoas, are doing just fine. Your idea of huge pots of impatiens sounds grand. Here's some of mine I put in smallish pots this spring. There are only 3 plants. They do take over!
This message was edited Sep 10, 2007 9:58 AM
Rev, those are beautiful!
Kat, I think those planters would look great painted. I think some of the paints have a stone look that would be very pretty! Your night picture is gorgeous as always!
Rev...Those are "Fabulous"...Isn't it just so rewarding? Thank-you for the compliments, but I'm jealous that your calibrachoa is still hanging in. hehe. They either don't like me or it's just too hot! Love them though.
Tex...Think I'll paint the next one...Found some bargain clearance Planters at Target - 27" high X 22" wide. Fiberglass. Ordered them online and think they may be great for Fall impatience. Can't wait!
Kat
Look what I've got to play with this Weekend!!! I'm moving from the back to the front! hehe
The Target planters came and I got the other ones 1/2 price. It's a great time to buy garden things on sale.
My Container gardens are very healthy right now and kind of overgrown. I've just been evaluating things for the past couple of weeks. The cool weather is coming and I can now plant annuals that will last. This has been a great experience for the past year and I am starting to see how things grow, what survives and have discovered great combinations.
I can't wait to plant these pots...
WOW.....those are fabulous! You have great taste! Love em!
Thanks Tex!
They are cool pots...Can't wait to plant them, but I'm waiting until it gets a little cooler here (maybe) haha
This cracks me up...
A series of photo's of my container garden in the Lizard Lounge. Wow...how things change, month to month. What a transformation and it's time to clean out the Jungle...
Kat
Great pictures! Love the Lizard Lounge!
I saw some of the Persian Shield at Lowes. Beautiful! Is that an annual or a perennial? I might get some!
Tex...I think it's an annual, but I've had some hanging in for nearly a year! I've had some dying lately though, but it's really time to plant again and I think they're popular again in the garden centers around here. Some of mine are 3 ft tall. They're very coleus-like as far as texture/growth/water needs but have larger leaves.
Grab them as they go fast...I think they would do great in your zone. I Love them...
Here's some that I've had for a long time that looked really kind of sick a few months ago. Moved them into a little shade under a Christmas Palm on my lanai and they're just loving it! I've got some in filtered sun though that are doing well also...so who knows?
When I was in Lowes I met a lady who owns a nursery and she said that they were an annual here. She said they can't take a freeze, they'd have to be protected. I don't have a green house, so I'll have to think about it.
They are truly gorgeous! I love them. I'll wait and see if they mark any of them down, or I may just wait until next spring! I'm running out of room of things that need to be protected!
I added a couple of Arbors lately to my garden...here's a pic of my beautiful Bougainvillea today - "Afterglow" - a salmon/pink gorgeous color. Only planted a month ago, but suddently blooming profusely!
Tex...I'm really bad at promising plants and not sending them. I have all good intentions, but it's a time-thing. A sweet person on this site told me how to propagate them. If you really want to try them out...D-Mail me and I'll see what I can do. I'm in the process of pulling things apart here and some of these have to go. Maybe I can even send them to you with roots! haha. In big 3 ft boxes! (just kidding)
A picture of my newly planted bed on the seawall.
Oh wow, Thanks Kat! That would be awesome! I'll Dmail you!
Love that Bouganvilla! Where ever did you find a plant that size? What are you feeding it? It's gorgeous, too!
Jeanne
They were huge Jeanne...I have a great landscape gal, don't know where she found them, but always comes up with incredible stock.
She got me some giant Crinum Lily's last year for the front of my house and they are in full bloom right now and just gorgeous. Can't wait for this one to bloom next year.
I planted my little Dwarf Poinciana out there also in the middle of the bed...Such a cute little accent plant.
I am just so happy with all my wonderful plants.
You should be, they are lovely!
Did you get my Dmail about the trellis / bench from Target? I thought they were so pretty! I have no room for one or I 'd be looking for one myself.
Yes I did and Thank-you so much. I seen that piece at Target and it is really, really, nice. I was there today and didn't see any. Was it available online? It really is beautiful and even though I'm running out of space with all my racks, containers, pig-planters, arbors...I would find some room for it!
Kat
Things are constantly changing in my container garden. I've left this area alone and it's just been thriving. Poor pig has been bombarded! (he takes time to smell the flowers though! haha)
I don't know if they have them online. They sure are pretty!
Your garden is so gorgeous! Just love it!
This was the most increbible day...These are the days I yearn for in Florida. Cool, non-humid weather! And today was that day!
I replanted about 10 pots today and just had a wonderful time doing it.
I just had the BEST day today. My garden is never a hassle to me...it's just such a pleasure, as it provides me with such joy! It also just "balances and centers me"...This might all sound kind of dramatic or corny, but it's true. I love the feel of the dirt, and to hell with manicured hands. As kookie as this might sound...I feel like I connect with most of my plants.
It's beautiful...
Kat, I thoroughly understand! It was a gorgeous day here as well! So cool, not humid, slight breeze.....nice! It gives me so much peace to be out in the garden on a day like this!
Jeanne
I'm so with you Jeanne! I've just felt so good today and got so much accomplished. The problem I have though is, everything is so lush...and I'm planting these skimpy planters....I guess though that everything started out "skimpy" at one time! .
Yes they do! Even me.....hard to believe I was "skimpy" at one time, and now I am very lush....(or plump as the case may be......full of life....my cup runneth over! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
How are your Persian Shield doing? Did you get them divided yet?
OMG...me too Hon! My cup is running over too much!
Jeanne...I'm going to send you something really good this week! Didn't have time to divide things, but had some leftovers - really nice ones too!
Kat
Great!!!!!! Thank you so much! I'll be glad to pay the postage!