Here's a pic of one of my old stand-by containers, but it's one of my faves. I keep putting leftover plants into this one and I'm really liking it. Although it's mostly leafy plants, it remnds me of a floral arrangement, the way it's grown...
Container Renovations 2! (smile)
Another view with Macho Fern and Tye Plant...
Two varieties of Devils Backbone in the same pot with some Persian Shield...
Another really cool Plant - Jatropha wiith Persian Shield and some hidden Heuchera...
Thanks to Eleanor on these threads, I discovered "Bacopa"...just a gorgeous accent plant.
Double Post
This message was edited May 24, 2008 12:35 AM
KatG- It does look like a floral arrangement. Beautiful. The dark Devil's Backbone is pretty. I have only seen the lighter one. I have it planted in the ground. It went crazy.
terichis, i would love to see your devil's backbone in the ground. I have two of them that i'm not sure what to do with. i originally bought it to put in a container, but i'm just out of container space.
I have 4 patches of it, most in full sun. Its funny, I never thought about putting it in containers. You just break it off & stick it in the ground. Voila!
I have devil's backbone in the ground. It took it awhile to get established, but it tolerated being moved to another spot and grew into a nice shape. I started another one from a cutting of the first one; and, oddly, it looks very different.
Mine were all single pieces. They have just really started making the "backbone" pattern with new branches. They have been in the ground about 6 months. Here is a large piece a friend gave me that has just started to get leaves. She found it on the side of the road along with the bougie next to it.
Hey teri and ashley...I bought this Devils backbone last year at a tropical nursery in Sarasota and really have never seen anything like it. It's really unusual looking. This year, I'm suddenly getting white growth on it??? It's very stalky, gnarly and kind of rubbery.
An update on the girls! They're doing well! hehe
A really awesome mix of Coleus, Persian Shield, Sweet potato vine, Brazilian red-hots...
This message was edited May 24, 2008 9:12 PM
I'm really so proud of my front garden - It's a "Sea of Caladiums". It's amazing what 6 weeks will do! They're still coming up and I can't imagine what this will look like a month from now...It's crazy, but beautiful!
Kat those are too cute!!!!
Kat- you have outdone yourself again! I love the caladiums! Beautiful! What are the teeny tiney green leaves in the lower center? Are they some type of caladium? Almost looks like a zanadu philodendron. I have the hardest time layering things to get the right look. Lots of trial & error! Would you trade a couple pieces of the devils backbone?
KatG~ Haven't I read that you have the "wedding bouquet" plant? I know that is not its real name. Do you have it potted?
And have you ever given fuchsia a try?
I looove the green sweet potato next to the persian shield!
My daughter spied your ladies and insisted we need more girl power around our house! I printed the picture (per her instruction) for our inspiration tomorrow.
WOW Kat! What a fantastic explosion of color those Caladiums have made. I bought several pots of them last year and planted them in various containers. They've just started coming up within the past month and I get the silliest grin each time I see one of their little heads start to poke up from the soil.
Have you been updating your phanfare site lately. I'd love to see your gardens in a slide show. I cannot tell you how much I've enjoyed that site. I use it for so many purposes. Thanks again for turning me on to that site. I only wish that comments could be left when someone views it. Maybe some day.
Janet
beautiful Kat, My Caladiums have still not come up. Waiting, Waiting.
Kat, "the girls" look great! What is the pink plant to the right? It is beautiful!
Phughes...You are so right! They are just way too cute and they're all sitting at attention! And Yes Teri that is a beaten-up Zanadu that's not doing so well. Needs a little help.
FHMom...I've never tried fuschia, although I think they are gorgeous, but I've had some real good luck with the Stephanotis.. I've left them in containers as my soil is really poor. They seem to like full sun as they're on the South side of my house. My Florist friend goes crazy when he see's them as the blooms cost him a small fortune for bridal bouquets. I don't know how long they are in bloom, but they are amazing right now.
Your photos are incredible!! I can imagine the time and effort you put in to keep everyone so lush and healthy. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
:-)
Great work, Kat! You have an excellent eye for color and form! I bet you're good at floral design, too... well any aspect of design for that matter. Love how you've sort of blended indoor and outdoor looks at your entry; its very warm and welcoming. Garden designer, John Carloftis speaks of that very technique in articles I've read. Your pics are up to par with any magazine spread I've seen! Thanks so much for sharing :-)
Neal
Hey Kat--any tips on getting the stephanotis to bloom? fertilizer? I've grown one from seed; it's probably 5 years old and I've had to cut in back in the past cause of black mildew or some type of disease. Anyway, I've had blooms before but not this year. I just transplanted it this season so it has fresh soil, I also moved it from my covered patio to full sun. Oh yeah it is in a container also. Would love to have blooms like yours. I love this vine!!!
KatG~
Have you had issue with the "winter" weather for the stephanotis? I read that they can't handle going under 50 degrees? I see that you're in my same zone... I have lived here for 2 years, and the coldest it has gotten has been probably about 30 for a night or two now and again. I was just about to go buy a pot so that I
could bring it in if need
be. Did you have to move it inside?
Jeanne...Those are "Brazilian Red Hots"??? I bought them in one of those little flats that they sell at Home Depot as edging and you just keep breaking them off. They add some color, that's for sure!
Here's a closeup! They're good value as you get a ton of plants.
Thank-you 4Paws...
Amazingly enough, I really don't have a lot of time - only weekends. With containers the only real upkeep after they're planted is watering and occasional fertilizing. There's also times that some of the annuals just can't take the heat anymore and I just get out there and poke new plants in and replace them.
But not everything is heavenly in the Garden of Kat! I have plants like this too, that I usually don't post photo's of! hahaha.
Janet...when I was growing up we had this fellow named Bud who lived behind us! My Mom was in competition with him as to who could have the best garden and she would say to me "Look at that fool out there...just standing there staring at his dirt!". Well these days, I'm like Bud! I know how you feel about the cute little Caladiums poking there heads up!
No, I haven't been on Phanfare lately and need to update my site. I've been on yours though and your scuptures are incredible! Going to join you on the Marketplace in about a week as I have some incredible planters (heads too) to sell!
I just love Caladiums! I've become a thief in my own garden as I was out planting today and stole some grown Caladiums from the front, to plant in containers in the back! (Don't think I'll miss a couple out there!).
I'm stealing Brindas ideas from the Coleus site! Miss Muffet caladiums, Oxalis, Coleus, Diamond frost, Josephs Coat and a little pink Bacopa tucked in the front!
I cannot believe how 1 single Caladium can brighten up an otherwise dull pot!
Here I am, all loaded up an ready to go! Somebody has got to keep me out of the Garden Center!!! I am totally out of control when it comes to plants! hehehe
kat -
Pretty arrangement of caladiums, bacopa, etc - Love the peppers, too - I'm mourning my own dead plants - app 30 hardy red cyclamen - lived all thru winter blooming non-stop - just to get snuffed out by our texas sun. They were so pretty this winter - I think I'm going to try them again - add some watersorb crystals when I plant.
Esther
Thank-you Neal and I'll have to check out John Carloftis. The thing about Florida is, you basically live outside at lot of the time. I love bringing the indoors - out!
Phughes and FHmom: I wish I could tell you something magical here, but there's no secret. The plants themselves don't look all that great but the new growth is good. I only use liquid fertilizer on them about once every 2 months and really keep them watered. Like I said, they are in the most extreme conditions and I think the Sun does a number on the leaves. They're still full of blooms and new buds though. The plants came from different growers also, so I can't put it down to great stock. I've killed a couple of beautiful and rare vines by putting them in the ground, so that's why I've opted for Containers here. This year the lowest it got in temp was about 30 and I didn't bring them in. They did lose a lot of leaves, but are reviving.
Here's a pic of them next to my beautiful yellowed Gardenias! Miracid to the rescue!
I pulled an pruned a bunch of overgrown plants today...replanted the middle container here with Salvia, Angelonia, pink Bacopa and a small Bird of Paradise. Looks a little sad, but hopefully will take root and pick up! Moved some complimentary existing containers around it...doesn't look too bad and really blends with the plants outside the screen enclosure.
It was such a hot day...I was going to divide these Foxtail Ferns (my favorite)...Started trying to pull them out of the pot and knew I was going to have a big fight with them. I just said UH UH...today is not the day for something so strenuous! ha!
Ahhhhh that"s too bad Kitty! It sure doesn't take long for something to dry out! I seem to have to water some plants daily and nearly lost my fountain of Sunpatiens the other day! Looked okay that morning, but by late afternoon were very sad!
Thank you for your kind words about our sculptures. We're really proud of them. I've used my Phanfare also for a Digital Time Line of my family, giving both my family and hubby's family (done in sections for this reason) access to family photos that they might not otherwise have. My daughter uses it for the dresses she makes for sale, both on the internet and locally. And I am also using it to host the photos in my listings here on Dave's Marketplace. It works like a charm being able to include photos within the ads. Whenever you get ready to start your listings, if you need any help, let me know.
Those foxtail ferns are gorgeous. But then, all of your plants are so big and healthy. I can surely see why you changed your mind about dividing them though.
I gasped out loud when I saw that photo of the dead leaves you posted. My first thought when I saw it was, uh oh, someone else is posting with Kat's name! Then laughed like crazy. HAHAHAHA
Your newest containers are so pretty. They always fit right in with your "scheme" of things. I love your plant cart. I bet that makes it easy to bring in groceries from the car, as well as plants.
This message was edited May 25, 2008 8:40 PM