At long last, I've had the chance to spend my weekend in the gardens. It got off to a slow start on Saturday. Dear Husband rebuild the sieve that fits over the wheelbarrow so that I could empty the sidewalk containers and sieve the soil. In some of the largest pots I use a layer of plastic shipping peanuts to lighten the load, so I need to catch the plastic as I break up the soil and remove spent plants.
The sieving and refilling of the pots took longer than I had anticipated. I moved the pots onto the sidewalk near the front door and Elegante Mother played with the collection of plants that we bought earlier in the week, working out combinations which pleased her. Rather than planting all the pots in an identical range of color, each pot has it's own personality. I know that's unusual, but it's what makes EM happy.
I think we filled seven pots with annuals. Elegante Mother was playing with plants the way she might sweep watercolor over paper. This container is a wrought iron basket lined with coir.
Supertunia Priscilla (lavender), Colorburst Melon Calibrachoa, "Peter’s Wonder" Coleus,
“Lemon Symphony” Osteospermum hybrid, Madeira Violet Argyranthemum. and
Red Snapdragons.
“Gay’s Delight” Coleus (Lime green with red-violet stems), “Happy Violet” Exotic Geranium, Dracaena marginata “magenta," and “Merlin’s Magic” Coleus fill a gray-green container.
Elegante Mother used the same coleus in this pot, with a different, lighter look:
"Gay’s Delight" Coleus, "Colorburst Chocolate" Calibrachoa (deep rose), "Needlepoint" Coleus (cut leaf with lime green, cream and scarlet), Ipomoea “Blackie," (dark sweet potato vine) and
“Snowstorm White” Bacopa.
And one more that I like for it's simplicity, and for the interesting pot:
I think I used Bacopa, with a dark red petunia, and a lighter coleus. I can probably look up the plant names if you need them.
So, the containers have been planted for the season. I have a couple more pots that are basically research. I've planted two small poinsettias that have carried over from Christmas, and another pot that has overgrown calla lily greens. I don't know if they will make it, but it was worth a try.
Dirt. I actually had dirt under my fingernails! (goofy grin).
Comments (8)
They are beautiful and the combos by EM are just perfect.
Posted by janett | May 6, 2007 10:14 PM
Posted on May 6, 2007 22:14
I can see you're in heaven Buffy. These flowers are just beautiful...love the colors. Looking at all the pictures....you have a LOT of garden area; so I can understand ALL the planning you do. So glad you got out there this weekend....Miss Green Thumb.
Posted by Joy | May 6, 2007 11:46 PM
Posted on May 6, 2007 23:46
Really pretty Buffy.
Do you usually plant annuals and hanging baskets outside at this time of year? The reason I ask is that over here the received wisdom for decades, nay centuries, is that it's not wise to plant them outside until the beginning of June, to avoid all risk of frost.
Posted by Adele | May 7, 2007 3:33 AM
Posted on May 7, 2007 03:33
Janet, Elegante Mother will be delighted to hear what you said about her plant combinations. Thanks!
Posted by Buffy | May 7, 2007 11:48 PM
Posted on May 7, 2007 23:48
Oh, Joy..........you've only seen a TINY bit of the gardens. I'm trying to find ways to close some of them down so that I can focus on the gardens closest to the house. I'll be nattering away about them for about eight weeks, and then you'll begin to notice a change in tone in July. By then, the watering and weeding and mowing and weedeating will all become less than fun, and the heat will drive me into the house to quilt. Enjoy the colorful pictures while they last! *G*
Posted by Buffy | May 7, 2007 11:50 PM
Posted on May 7, 2007 23:50
Adele, the normal last frost date for my area is May 15. We've jumped the gun a bit this year, but I think we're safe for several reasons. First, the tender plants in pots COULD be moved into the garage if we were going to have a prolonged period of cold. Second, the pots that you can see are in a sheltered area that tends to stay a bit warmer than the open beds. The brick radiates stored heat during the night to keep the plants a bit warmer. And, if I had to, I could leave these plants in place and cover them, should we have frost.
I'm not thran enough to plant tomatoes yet. I may wait a bit longer than the 15th for them, just to be safe. We've been gardening here for 18 years, so we pretty much know what to expect. We keep an eye on the weather and try not to plant more than we can protect when we plant early.
Enjoy the extra time you have to get things ready in your garden. Which reminds me....I need to revisit your blog to see what you had to say about those gardens. Like Janet, I hope there are more pictures! *S*
Posted by Buffy | May 7, 2007 11:56 PM
Posted on May 7, 2007 23:56
Sorry, my note sounded more than a bit premptory, I din't mean it to sound so.
Yes, theoretically we could still have some frost this spring but I notice many people have already jumped the gun, not surprising given how wam and mild it has been so far this year.
Posted by Adele | May 8, 2007 1:37 PM
Posted on May 8, 2007 13:37
We seem to have bad both extremes, Adele. December was the mildest I can recall, but January was bitterly cold. If I need to cover the plants, I will, but I think we may be far enough into Spring now that they'll be safe.
Posted by Buffy | May 8, 2007 1:56 PM
Posted on May 8, 2007 13:56