Here's a close-up
Pirl's Photos of container gardens Part 2
That looks great Kat. I'm still not too sure about the upsidedownedness (Yes, that's a word, I just made it up!) I do like strange and unusual, unique things. It just almost seems unnatural. I will look forward to seeing how your tomatoes do. I planted one tomato plant this year. So far the birds are up by 3 and I'm down by 3. By the time I'm picking the tomatoes, the birds have already stuck a waybigo hole in them. I think I'll park my shotgun next to the tomato and see how they like THAT! HAHAHAHA (I wouldn't really shoot them. Afterall I have lots invested in feeding them sunflower seeds. Why can't they be happy with that?)
Janet
OK. As you know, I am a dyed-in-the-wool Yankee, I don't like air conditioning, I would melt if I were anywhere south of Maryland in the summer. So some things I just don't understand. Have mercy on me, please.
That gorgeous number Dale posted with the Pampers comment; that's a brug, right? Could someone post a picture of those in context, like next to a quarter or yardstick so I can get an idea of the size? I always see the close-ups but I can't translate that into somethhing I can understand.
Also, could someone take me through the life cycle of an angelonia? I buy one or two every year from my annuals lady but I don't really know what to do with them. They never look like anything I've seen posted. (They're not in plantfiles.)
Thank you, and remember - we are the beautiful people.
xxx, Carrie
Containers on my deck. Ive already posted individual photos of the containers and now that are starting to fill in they are adding some color to my deck. Eleanor
The other end of the deck. Eleanor
Another view. Eleanor
Flowers in baskets in the front of the house are finally starting to trail over the sides. Eleanor
Eleanor, your plants are just beautiful. Looks like a wonderful place to sit and visit.
If you have it, I would love to see a closer shot of that wreath with the sedum (if that's what I think I'm seeing there). I've got a variety of that kind of plant and have several grape vine wreaths in a closet. (wriggling eyebrows here)
This is the really ugly fountain at the end of our little mews, two rows of townhouses facing each other. I've taken it on to plant something that might lessen the visual 'thud' of the fountain. It's a water wall running down the yellow part, which is lit at night.
There'a a planter about a foot deep across the top part, so I put in some pink wave petunias at each end, white impatiens and a blue scaevola in the centre. Should be low mainenance, and I'll post photos if they do as they're told.
I bought the two blue planters and have planted a pink brugmansia in each, one-year trees that I started from seed last year and overwintered in my basement. Then I planted around those in the pots. Closeups to follow.
This container gets only a few hours of sunlight per day, from behind, so I used three non-stop begonias,a white and two pinks, and a couple of schizanthus and some alyssum. There's also a pink wave petunia in the middle, near the brug's trunk.
Andy,
We should start an ugly fountain/water feature contest. The one in your photo is almost certain to win. I generally detest graffiti, but, I would get the local hooligans to target that with shades of green spray paint. Buying them some paint would be an good investment.
Too bad you can't plant something tall in front of it. Like a lilac or shrub rose.
This one gets about 4 hours of sun daily. I put in two osteospermums (holding my breath for those to bloom all summer), a white angelonia, a stroblianthes (I finally found one after two years of searching) and a burgundy petunia. A couple of schizanthus, a lime-green sweet potato vine to accentuate the Persian Shield and a helichrysum for trailers.
Finally in front of the gas meter grating, another camouflage endeavour. Yet another brug surrounded by a white osteospermum, a dark rose angelonia, a white wave and a Calimero Mary Blue petunia (which is actually pink with burgundy veining and centre), a Blackie and an oxalis triangularis.
If you've guessed my colour palette this year is pink, purple and white, you got it in one!
Dale, a lilac or a sledgehammer... some people actually like the thing. Go figger...
On my deck: double blue waves with yellow pansies and a yellow calibrachoa. Going for a cascading swag effect in royal colours.
Here is the photo of the living wreath made with succulents. I actually posted that on another thread or forum but can't remember where. Eleanor
Eleanor, I beleive your wreath was discussed in the Cactus & Succ. forum here:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/728046/
Thank you so very much Eleanor and Abl for finding the link. It's the prettiest arrangement of succulents I've ever seen. I can't wait to read the thread. :-)
I love using the succulents in unusual ways. Would you mind if I borrowed your excellent wreath idea as an example of what I hope mine will look like?
awesome container :-)
Janet
Have to water this type of container alot, that is hard to do, for some.
Janet - go ahead. That's what this website is for, to share ideas. And besides I got the idea and instructions from a magazine so it's not really even my idea. Can't wait to see your finished product - the only stipulation is photos, please. Dale, I was so excited to see someone else's wreath and couldn't wait to ask you what you do with your's during the winter. Then I realized you live in Florida and don't have to worry about -10 degrees in the winter. LOL It's a beautiful wreath. How did you get the shape? I have a special frame for mine.
This message was edited Jun 9, 2007 7:18 AM
Andy,
I like the way those containers fit into the deck. Seeing someone else's across the way makes me guess each apartment has them? And I just posted somewhere for someone to show me the size of a brug in real life - thank you!
Eleanor, I see an empty strawberry pot in the corner. Love all the callies!
xxx, Carrie
Eleanor, beautiful deck! You have done a wonderful job with your containers, both with the contents and the placement. Looks so peaceful and relaxing.
Thanks - the deck is a nice place to sit, except the middle of the day when it is too hot. I love sitting in my glidder and watching the darkness fall :-) The strawberry pot held some hens and chicks but they out grew it and were moved to a bigger pot. Right now it's just sitting there enjoying the deck with me! LOL
I have my first house with a lawn and garden in over 20 years so am trying to learn about lawns (mine needs help) and gardening. And I have patios in the front and back in need of plants and color. You guys on this forum have inspired me so much that today I hit the nursery in the morning and spent the rest of my day making my first container collections which I photographed. Just wanted to thank you for the inspiration. I know I have a lot to learn, but here's what I ended up with.....
Wow, you're a fast learner! Those are stunning. Especially love the lower right one!
Hey NY2CA - You did good!!! Thumbs up!
(and isn't is fun!!!)
Those containers are fabulous.....you can't be a beginner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for sharing
gail
Oh, you guys are so nice! I swear today was the first time I've tried anything beyond a single plant in a pot. I really have been paying attention to you all!
One of the older forums had this link on it that I found really helpful too. Some really nice photos and ideas.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/floriculture/container-garden/web_gallery/index.html
I learn so much in DG!
And yes, Kat I have really enjoyed planting my first real veggie garden and putting in new shrubs and today the container adventure. I'm still not unpacked and settled in the house, but I seem to spend all my weekends digging in the dirt outside. I may NEVER get unpacked at this rate! :-)
That's an awesome link Ny2CA. I learned a lot just browsing. Then actually clicked on why's and how to's. Great info!
You did a beautiful job on your containers. Who needs to unpack when there's soil to play in?
Janet
I just have to know though.....does everyone else get as filthy as I do? And I swear when I'm done you'd think a yard supply truck crashed in my yard scattering pots, hand tools, shovels, hoses, bags, soil, compost, plant tags......everything all over the place. And I have soil and mud all over my arms and legs and always a streak of dirt down my nose and face (from pushing up my sunglasses constantly I think). Once I get started I tend to forget gloves altogether. I have to pre-shower before stepping into the house so I'm also soaked by the time I'm done. I'm such a messy gardener!!
It occurs to me the yard mess does seem to resemble what my kitchen looks like when I'm doing a lot of baking.
HAHAHAHA Raising hand here. Sounds like you've been looking in my back yard when I am planting! :-)
By the way, in this Texas heat, sometimes I will soak a dish rag in very cold water. Then I wring it out and wrap it around my neck while I'm outside planting (or mowing). I can use the ends of it to wipe the sweat, etc. off my face with. Sure beats using the front of my shirt. :-) When I forget to do the towel thing, I have this huge wet streak that's muddy colored on my clothes.
Janet - I like the idea of a wet dish rag!! NY2CA - you did a great job on those containers. The whole couple of weeks that I was planting my containers the garage and the area where I was doing the potting were a disaster. I promised DH that it would not look like this when I was finished and I would clean up!! When I'm finished playing in the dirt I need to shower. Getting dirty is part of the fun. LOL
To beat the summer heat I usually stand under the hose for a couple minutes.
I wear light weight shorts, stop and drink some water every few minutes. That will only keep me going to about 1PM. After that hour you have to go inside or keep yourself wet.
Ditto on the being a messy gardener. I am always covered with dirt and soaking wet, dirt under my fingernails and in my hair. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Here's a simple little container in a shade corner of one of my beds. Just variegated ivy, angelina sedum, and setcraesea pallida. Seems to be filling in nicely, tho.
Deb
NY2CA,
Yes to everything. Some containers are gorgeous with just one plant in them. (See Dale's above.) I like your lower right the best too. I also come in filthy and so does my electric (not waterproof) wheelchair. I usually get swept with a broom before I'm allowed back inside!
Carrie
dale, that looks like a Breynia whatever it is called.....a member of the hibiscus family..................i can't stand it that you can actually grow that in the ground and get that big..................it is so sensitive to cold weather....what is that gorgeous plant you have by itself....never have seen it...
Debin, I wish I had the nerve to show you what I will look like tomorrow working on my front porch!!!! I usually wear some light weight cotton pajamas .....so faded but i can't give them up for working in the heat!!!
Here is a container I made this year. Copied it out of a magazine. I also made one for my mom who lives in Okla. I'll send one of hers too. Her colors are prettier than mine.
oh I love that stacking of pots!
gessiegail, I was digging in my pj's this morning too. Not by design but was sitting on the front porch thinking I needed to put that azalea in the ground and next thing you know.........I think I am getting addicted to this whole gardening thing. :-)
I love that stacking of pots too Shirleygirly!
Here's my stacking container I just planted today...mixed a bunch of herbs and flowers. Very plasticky compared to Shirleygirly's, but I think it will look good when everything starts growing. Did the top in mixed annuals/perennials - Dwarf Papyrus, petunias, coleus, lantana, crown of thorns (used a lot of left-overs and misfits). Planted Basil, Rosemary, Sage, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Oregano, Lavender, Ornamental peppers...It really is a unique planter.
NY2CA - It is SO addicting!!! I was so filthy today and didn't even cook dinner! hahaha. Domino's has a great Bronx pizza these days! (I kind of feel guilty too as I love to cook, and it's Sunday...but Oh well!!!) Went to a nursery in Sarasota yesterday and it just blew me away...have to figure out where I'm going to put these plants now! hahaha
This was the coolest Nursery! Check out what I brought home!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/733713/