Containers This Year

These have filled out nicely.

I never did fill up my other 2 pots.

With our kitchen remodel, the back deck was full of cabinets for most of the summer, so I didn't put any back there.

Maybe it was a good thing.

With the hot summer we've had, I have had a hard time keeping these three watered!

They really need it every day.

They get it...every 2nd or 3rd day, depending on when I notice the wilting.

Terrible! 

 

Those red petunias were a fluke!

I certainly didn't think I was buying any red petunias!

I really like the way the sweet potato vine has been spilling over the sides.

 

As predicted, the osteospermum has gone dormant in the heat.

The dahlias still bloom, as long as I'm consistent with the water.

These make a welcome bit of color and texture as you go up the stairs to our front door.

I think as far as design, these are the best I've put together so far.

I love the mix of textures, with the feathery asparagus fern juxtaposed with the bold sweet potato vine. The flower colors complement each other as well.

 

Maybe next year I'll assign a child to water them every day.

 

Containers out Front

We had a new porch built this year, including some built-in platforms for flowers.

Yay!

So I rounded up some of my blue pots and got to work.

 

 

I decided to do these ones in front all the same, which is quite unlike me.

Since they're on the stairs going up, I thought it would make more of an impact to have similar plants in each one.

 

For height and color, and those awesome spoon-shaped petals, I put in Osteospermum 'Flower Power Spider Purple.'  It says it blooms spring and fall, if you cut it back late summer. I hope it won't go completely dormant in between but I guess I'll find out.

To add another punch of color, I put a dahlia in each as well, 'Dahlinova,' variegated petals, pink/purple/white.

Fuschia petunias round off the flowers.

For greenery, each container has an asparagus fern 'Sprengeri', and a purple-leaved sweet potato vine, Ipomea batatas 'Sweet Caroline Red.'

I'm already liking how they look together.

I hope this combination powers on through until fall!

 

I still need to plant my other containers for the back deck.

That will probably happen this week. 

Flowerpots' Last Hurrah

We had some good times this summer, these flowers and I.

 

[These pictures were taken about a month ago, before hard frost had set in.]

 

 The succulent boat in front sent up alien stems with strange little blooms on them.

 

The geraniums (middle) were awash with color at several different points, despite uneven watering.

The herb container didn't do much of anything, actually.

It smelled nice for a few months.

And would you look at that asparagus fern?

Incredible! It almost makes the dead bellflowers look picturesque (or so I tell myself.)

The round blue pot in front obviously gave up quite some time ago.

These were pretty awesome while they lasted.

Now in death, they too have taken on alien life forms.

 

I might have mentioned it [twenty times] before, but the decision to get our yard done pretty much sucked the gardening life out of me there at the end of the summer.

I didn't have access to water outside for a good month and a half while the yard was graded and the sprinkler system put in. This all coincided with a decent heat wave. By the time the thought occurred to me that I could actually water these containers with a pitcher of house water, it was too late for most of the flowers.

 

I did finally get them all winterized a few weeks ago (before hard frost killed off the succulents.)

Go me!

The succulents now live inside as houseplants, where the lack of water will probably not come as a shock to their systems at all. I couldn't willfully kill off the asparagus ferns, so in the end I planted them all in my vegetable garden, bottom terrace, front and center.

They are still green, even after 2+ weeks of below freezing temperatures!

 

All the flowerpots are now tucked safely away in the shed.

I have high hopes that next year will be better all around.

We'll have a lawn that we can walk on!

That makes a pretty good starting place, I'd say.

A Few Little Additons, & 4 Big Ones

 

I decided 2 of my containers needed a little something more:

 

This one was looking a little bare between those petunias:

[Before]

So I added a few Asparagus sprengeri.

 

 

[After]

Aah, much better.

 

I have no pictures to show for this one, but I also added another sedum to the succulent boat.

A Sedum acre 'Aureum', (Golden Carpet). It looks good. Trust me.

 

I also added Ipomea, petunias, and lobelia to the front flowerbeds, and portulaca to the back.

 

* * * * * *  * * * *

As for our big additions, my husband had mentioned to me a couple of times that the top part of the slope above the garden needed a little . . . something. It has some big bushy lupines, a scattering of daisies, and the rest weedy grass.

 

So I got 4 big shrubs to put up there, all of them American Highbush Cranberry, or Viburnum trilobum. (Our first choice was staghorn sumac, but the ones at the nursery looked so ratty I just couldn't bring myself to buy them.)

 

Can you see how steep the slope is right here?

We dug them in deep and far, slipping and sliding all over the place, but it still looks like it's about to slide right on down the hill.

 If they survive (this is sometimes called the Hill of Death, after all), they should grow up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide. I don't know that I would let them get them that tall, but not to worry, they can pruned to control size and shape.

They are supposed to adapt well to a most soils, and bear edible berries in the fall--although not the same cranberries as are sold commercially, I found out. Not even the same species!

Deep red fall color, with red berries persisting over winter.

I'm not completely sold on eating the berries, but I'm hoping these shrubs will add some much-needed structure, color, and interest to that part of the slope.

 

If they survive.

I'm really trying not to get too attached at this stage in the game; I have learned by sad experience with this slope. I have been watering them, and I'm hoping the rain we had last night will do them a whole lot of good.

One Last Container

I've had these plant tags on my desk for 3 weeks now--time to get them recorded!

Yes, I planted a container in August.

Maybe not so savvy.

Quite possibly a waste of money.

But I have to admit, I love it!

 

Here's what's in it:

Coleus 'Plum Good' (trailing)

Oxalis 'Plum Crazy' --purple shamrocks, so cool!

Geranium 'Elegance Royalty White'

Calibrachoa 'Double Magenta'

For being mostly foliage, it has turned out to be one of my favorite arrangements. So maybe it was worth the end-of-the-season splurge after all. Next year I'll know just what to look for!

August Bloom Day

Here in Eastern Washington, we are right in the middle of the annual August heat wave.

Last year we had 6 straight weeks of 90 degree weather with clear skies.

This year it has rained once, and the rest of the time we're back at 90.

 

The good thing about the heat, other than ripening my tomatoes, is that I can tell very easily where I need to fill spots in my garden. For instance, my entire back flowerbed is dormant right now, except for the portulaca I planted as filler. Note to self: plant something with longevity in the back bed!

 

So what loves the heat?

 

Petunias, bless 'em.

As long as I keep them watered, they just bloom their little hearts out.

 

This 'Burgundy Iceberg' rose was just planted this year.

It has bloomed non-stop since I put it in the ground.

I can't remember what this little pin-cushiony flower is in front (lost the tag) but it echoes the rose just beautifully.

Echinacea, of course.

 

 

The salvia isn't bothered by the temperature, either.

 

 And let's not forget the dog fennel (also called Mayweed chamomile, or stinking Mayweed.)

It smells awful up close, but it's pretty!

 

It's also good for hiding unsightly patches of bare ground awaiting grass seed, once it gets cooler. Well, sort of hiding it.

 

Happy Bloom Day!
To see other gardens from around the world, go to May Dreams Gardens and check out the links!

Swallowtail

Speaking of containers, we had a visitor the other day.

 

You can see it well in this photo.

Not so well in this one.

It's on the left-hand side, with the back sides of its wings showing.

 

The kids were thrilled, especially since it didn't seem to even be aware of them watching so closely.

May there be many more!

 

Container Goodness

We're due for an update on the flowerpot status.

 

These give me a little shot of "happy" every time I see them--which is often, as they are at both entrances to my home.

 

#1: Round Blue

I could have sworn I had only 2 colors (the purples) planted in here.

Not that I mind the pink.

They are spilling over and I'm loving it!

#2: Big Green

More petunias going for broke.

The mix between them and the verbena: luscious.

The tall dianthus no longer look so tall with everything else billowing up, but it is still fun to see those little pink faces popping up here and there.

 #3: Blue Boat

 

#3 again

Hello, photobomber child!

The sedums in front and back are holding their own, but are soon to be hidden by the petunia extravaganza.

 

#4: Tall Blue

 

Respectable.

Not as filled in as the rest, but still easy on the eyes.

I'm liking the carnations, just wish they would fill in a bit more.

Lobelia just got sheared back, so it's pretty much non-existent in this shot.

 

Overall, I'm still liking these far better than last year's attempts.

I love petunias, what can I say?
 

Hands-On Sensory Container (aka: The Kid Magnet)

I bought another pot! I even forced myself to branch out from my usual true blues. So it's a gray-green. Hey, can't branch out too far or I might break off.

Why did I need another container, you may ask?

(No doubt, my husband would like to hear the answer, as well!)

 

I wanted a container that my kids could physically interact with, filled with plants that would delight their senses in several ways.

Granted, that's a lot to ask of one container.

On the other hand, when you have a garden, your kids will have sensory experiences outside. Picking herbs for dinner preparation, eating fresh vegetables out of the garden, playing in the grass, smelling flowers, feeling raindrops on their skin, watching the clouds, bugs, animals, and birds: all of these things are sensory experiences.

 

So rather than trying to make this container equal the sum total of all their sensory needs, I just put in a few kid-friendly plants that either:

 a) needed to be in a pot anyway, or

b) I didn't have elsewhere in the garden. 

No stress.

 

Here's what's in it:

Tangerine Sage (Salvia elegans 'Tangerine')

I chose this one by personally sniffing all the herbs for sale at my favorite nursery. Yep, I looked like a loony. As my kids would say, "Pretty much, mmm-hmmm." This passed the sniff test with flying colors! er..aromas.  It really truly smells like tangerines! (Go figure, eh?)

The bright, lipstick red flowers are a bonus.

 

Spearmint 

Did not want this one invading my entire garden, so it was an ideal candidate for the container.

Smells great, can even be munched on (watch for bugs!)

Our breath has never been more fresh!

 

Lamb's ears (stachys byzantina) 

For them to pet, of course.

And rub on their cheeks.

And make blankets for their rock babies.

Whatever they want.

 

purple and white lobelia

Just for color, and also because I had an extra that needed to go in somewhere before it shriveled up and died.

 

That's it.

Nothing fancy.

But I guess that's the point, isn't it?

Fancy would mean hands off.

 

Which leads to my absolute favorite thing about this container: the YES factor.

As in, "Mom, can I touch this leaf?"

"YES!"

"Mom, can I taste this leaf?"

"[Probably] YES!"

"Mom, can I handle every single thing in this pot, and smell it, and pick some to show my friends?"

"YES! Please do. That's what it's there for."

 

* * * * * * * * *

How will you know if your container is a success?

It won't take long, my friends.

 

No, this is not my daughter.

She is a sweet little friend who came over, and was drawn to the lamb's ears.

She was even more tickled when my kids introduced her to the other plants, and had her smell and feel and taste!

Then she asked if she could pick some to take home.

And of course, my answer was yes.

 

Flower Pots Planted

I did some experimenting last year with my flower pots, and for the most part, it was unsucessful. I wasn't very happy with any of the pots, really.

So...back to the drawing board this time around.

 

Also, I bought 2 new pots this spring. Yippee!

 

Hi, my name is Linnae and I'm addicted to blue pots.

I'm kind of wishing I had a few more, actually, but I'm trying to pace myself.

I do have one green pot that was given to me, but every one I've purchased is blue.

 

Cool or warm flower colors look great against the blue. 

They bring a little pop of color on the porch or deck.

Blue pots + me = BFF's

 

Anyway, yes.

Here's what I came up with:

 

Tall Blue Pot

Dusty miller (never used this before, but I'm liking how it plays off the pinks)

Pale pink petunias

Pink carnations

mixed purple/white lobelia

 

side view

This pot will end up on our front porch.

 

Green Pot

Tall dianthus, purple verbena, purple wave petunias, and vinca

 

 I like how tall those dianthus are.

Plus, some of the stems have started leaning over the edge of the pot in a charming way.

 

I've actually never tried perennials in my pots before.

Don't know why.

I'm sure I can find someplace to tuck them into my flowerbeds this fall.

 

Blue Boat

Hen and chicks (2 varieties), purple wave petunias, and Wee Willie dianthus.

The dianthus have since died. Already!

I haven't replaced them with anything yet.

 

I had envisioned this one chock full of sedums, but I couldn't help tucking in the petunias as well.

This will probably be moved up to the front, as well.

 

Round Blue Pot

Dusty miller, surrounded by purple wave petunias, and purple/white wave petunias. 

 

I didn't even wash off the edges or the leaves before I took these photos.

There was a wild and crazy windstorm going on at the time.

I was hustling just to get everything planted before the rain started.

You can see how wet the deck was already!

Literally minutes afer I came inside it was pouring rain.

 

I already enjoy these pots, just planted, more than I did last year's.

Every time I look out our back door they bring a smile to my face.

I'm hoping in another month they will be all filled in and look even better!

 

First Snowfall

Snow came!

We hadn't finished our winterizing chores yet. EEK!

Everything was covered up....for a day or two at least.

sumac 

slope grasses

those blooms are still trying, despite the cold! 

You can see how much it has already melted off--this was just a few hours later.

Yes, this also illustrates that we still need to finish winterizing! 

 Oregano and basil

Mockorange loveliness.

Garden update

Summer has finally come to the Palouse!

It has been in the 90's the past couple days.

So I turned the water on the garden for 2 hours today.

(Also watered raspberries, the shade bed, and the bed out front. oh, and pots.)

Bottom terrace

Cucumbers starting to put on some leaves.

Tomatoes growing taller. There are already green tomatoes on two of the plants.

I think they are both determinate, so I'm hoping the 3 or so on the plant isn't going to be the whole harvest!

Just have to say: I LOVE the marigolds interspersed between the tomatoes. I'll have to do that again next year. Those bright spots of color just make me happy.

Herbs are doing fine.

Zucchini  STILL not up (second planting with new seed not helping, I guess?) 

 Middle terrace: spring veggies

Peas are pulling my stakes down, but other than that are doing great!

We have picked several fistfuls so far.

J and B have enjoyed picking them off and eating them while they play outside.

Carrots, potatoes, and onions looking full and bushy.

I've been keeping it weeded, but it hasn't been a chore.

The thistles are the most persistent.

I may need to mound up a bit more dirt for the potatoes soon, and I probably need to go through and thin the carrots one more time.

Top terrace

Nasturtiums (in front) and sunflowers (back) starting to leaf out.

I think nearly all of my corn is up now that I replanted!

Beans are also going strong!

So the tall beans are the Royal Burgundy that have been in all along.

The ones on the far right are the green bush beans I replanted.

They have almost all come up now, too. I guess it helps when the soil is warm. ;)