Those Awesome Summer Grasses

As I type this, the wind is howling and the temperatures are dropping.  Summer is finally coming to an end.....and so will all those great summer grasses planted in the City containers.  Unlike the begonias and coleus, which will melt with the first freeze, the grasses will just go into their "tan" look.  While that might be okay in a garden, not so good in a container.  But I have to tell you which one was the winner in the group that I used.  A big surprise to me....it is Pennisetum 'Fireworks'....because earlier in the season I complained that it was not keeping up with its cousins.

 

 

This picture will not do justice to the colorations that finally came out as the summer ended but this grass really did look like a fireworks scene.  The leaves took on more red but it was the "flowers" that were most impressive -- almost glowing in the sunlight.

 

 

 



'Fireworks' also grew a little smaller and tighter than the common Pennisetum 'Rubum' so there was less flop.  Something to keep in mind if you have a small space to fill.

 

And speaking of 'Rubum'.....

 

 This one did great in the containers -- not surprising though since it is a tried and true grass.  You can see the slight differences between it and 'Fireworks'.  There is more green in Rubrum's leaves and the flowers droop a little more -- less of that "fireworks" effect.

And then there is 'Skyrocket'.....I did like this one a lot.  Clean lines, upright structure, lots of flowers.  Nothing special about the colors but if you need a good background grass this is one to look for. 

 

Scattered about in various containers were some Carex 'Ice Dance', Carex 'Evergold' and a new comer Carex 'Amazon Mist'....no pictures cause they are not very photogenic on their own.  Of course, Ice Dance and Evergold  will always be in my containers cause they do so well and add lots of texture and movement.  Amazon Mist got lost in the crowd of big players so I don't know that it is best for these containers.  For smaller pots where it can stand out on its own it should be considered. 

 

I'm prejudice about grasses and would use them at every opportunity but maybe next summer season I'll try something that is more willing to share the container space. 

 

Next posting....let's talk "bugs"....a few managed to get by my systemic barriers....and we'll talk about why.

 

 

 



The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Well, here we are at the end of the summer season and it is time to report on how all the "children" did in their little playgrounds around the City.  There is so much to tell you about that I'll do this over several postings, so check in frequently.  The first plant to tell you about -- well, I'm not sure where it falls in the categories -- it was good, at times it was bad and -- you decide if it ended up "ugly".

This container holds three Kong Coleus Rose, a couple Raspberry Moon Caladium and three Carex Ice Dance.....guess who won the race?  The caladium was able to poke its head out here and there but Kong lived up to its name and overpowered everything.  Not a bad thing but next time I'll be aware that there is no need to put anything else in a container with them.  This container had short morning sun followed by shade all day.  It did well with the every-other-day watering, although it did droop when the heat was intense.  I recommend using Kong coleus wherever you need to make a big impact but it is a coleus with big leaves so it will need water!

I'll be sure to use Raspberry Moon Caladium next year....if I can find it again.  The leaves are huge and the coloration different.  This would look good with pink torenia as a spiller and autumn ferns as fillers. 

While I'm on the subject of coleus I'll tell you about the others that were part of the plan.  We're naming the "bad" now....Coleus Indian Summer....bad girl.  She never got with the program, and I had been in love with her in previous years.  True, I put her in full sun but she had been there before.  She looked like wet laundry hanging on the line more than she did a proud flag flying on the mast.  Every other day watering did not do it for her.

Coleus Indian Summer
Vinca Cora White
Sweet Potato Vine Bronze
Cuphea Totally Tempted


















While I had hoped the colors of the coleus, cuphea and the sweet potato vine would all compliment each other, the sad state of the coleus overshadowed all of the potential glamour.

But on to the "good girls".   To be sure I'll be using Coleus Wasabi and Dipt in Wine next year, along with the ultimate winner -- Coleus Pineapple.  Wasabi and Dipt in Wine were in the ground at the Welcome Center garden so they did have the advantage of in-ground moisture and the shade of the tree.  But Pineapple worked her magic no matter where she was.  When she had more sun the colors were brighter yellow with bolder burgundy stems and accents.  In the shade, it was more lime green with less accents, but it made up for it in size.  Check out the photos -----

 

 

This container had 3 Coleus Pineapple, 3 Vinca Cora Pink, 3 sweet potato vine Sweet Carolina Sweetheart Red, and 3 Sunpatiens White (you all know the sad story about the Sunpatiens....gone, gone, gone).  It did get morning sun and some late afternoon sun....but it was one happy container.

 



The colorations on Pineapple are so striking and will compliment just about anything you pair it with....think red, burgundy, purple, blue, and even OMG...pink.

Now check out the color when it sat in the shade all day......

Coleus Pineapple (3)
Vinca Cora white (4)
Angelonia white (4)
Autumn Ferns (3)
Lysimachia Persian Chocolate (3)

















In another posting I'll tell you about the awesome Lysimachia Persian Chocolate but for now, can you believe that coleus??

Another all time favorite of mine that seems to be appearing in nurseries under slightly different names is Big Red Judy or as this year's version is called Redhead.  It did well in full sun -- would have liked a little more water than it got, but still strutted its stuff all summer.  It is still in a container as of this date -- we'll see how she holds up to the 30 degree temps coming our way.

I've shown you these guys before but to round out the story, here are photos of Wasabi and Dipt in Wine again.

Wasabi is in the background


Dipt in Wine in the foreground


















The retail nurseries are placing their 2013 spring orders now so if you like any of these plants, let the owners know so they can be sure to have them available next year.  Paula at Thomas Orchards works with a grower who does lots of "proven winners" -- but it is a tight market so get your requests in early.  Next posting --  the grasses!

Ryan's Pink

Gotta tell you about a neat plant that isn't part of the container plans but it had such a "wow" factor that it needed to be mentioned.  Chrysanthemum x morifolium 'Ryan's Pink'....take a look.....

Is that not one happy looking flower....

At this time of the year when we see mountains of mums at all the local nurseries, box stores and even grocery stores, this one stands proud.  It may not be as easy to find as the ordinary white, yellow or red mums, but please look for it and put it in your garden.  In the back of the border though as it does get tall -- up to 3 feet when it is happy.  Although you can keep it in check by pruning it several times during spring and early summer.  Leave it alone by July 4 and it will give you mountains of big blooms in the fall.  And guess who else will be happy with your choice....butterflies.  As their season ends and they are looking for food this will be one happy landing spot. 

My good friend, Chris Stewart -- owner, along with her husband Chuck, of the wholesale nursery Tapestry here in Madison -- is a butterfly's best friend.  She grows, and shares, anything they want to eat and host on.  She is the one who has shared this great plant with me.  They sell to most of the local retails stores here and in Atlanta so call around and see who has this gem. 

 

 

And....after the butterflies have dined on this, you can cut a bouquet for your dinner table when you are ready to dine.   It is a great passalong plant too....grow a batch and share it.

 



Chili Cookoff -- Fall is Official Here

The Madison Chili Cookoff was this past weekend and it was a fun event....and that means  Fall is officially here.  If you didn't attend the Cookoff, make sure that you put it on your calendar for next year.  It was lots of fun and well attended.  I was working a booth so I didn't get to taste all the different varieties submitted, but my husband had a bit of one and he was still sweating when he found me in the Park.  Good chili, he admitted, but he did have to find a "cold" drink to cool off his taste buds.

With Fall officially here, it is time to change out the color in the City Containers.  I know that some of you are not going to be happy with me when I take out those summer plants that still look good; but the pansies need to get their roots established before the really cold weather comes along.  So just to make you feel a little better I thought I'd share a few pictures of what is to come.  I'm still running back and forth to the nurseries to get the varieties that are coming on -- pansies really aren't happy unless they get cool weather -- and we are just now getting those 50 degree nights. 

How sweet is this -- Dynamite Blueberry Thrill -- it almost sizzles.  The Dynamite series is such a good one that any of the colors will make you happy, but I admit that I'm partial to this one.

How about adding Snapdragon Liberty Yellow to Blueberry Thrill to compliment the yellow in the pansy face.

Snapdragons will continue to give you color through the season if you remember to keep them deadheaded.















And speaking of snapdragons.....take a gander at this.....

Is that not awesome.   Down right "snappy" if I say so myself.....groan.

Okay one more teaser and then I need to get to more designing. 

Sorbet Pink Wing....yeah, I know it looks more lavender....but I wasn't in charge of naming so don't blame me.  It's still a pretty little thing.  The pansies are moving out of the nurseries fast so don't wait too long before you make your choices. 

Torenia - BetterThan Impatiens

Like a good mother, I need to tell you the good things about all my "children" before I mention any of their shortcomings....even if their shortcomings are really key to dealing with them.  This year, several of the containers were planted with Torenia Purple - Moon Series and, as I have said in the past, Torenia are the ultimate replacement for impatiens, those water sucking little critters.  

Getting a late start this season I could only get the purple and the white variety, and for some reason the white did not survive as well as the purple.  One never really knows what they are getting from the grower -- healthy or not?   Anyway, the purple are doing an outstanding job this year.  Check out these photos.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is no doubt that the perfect marriage of flowers is the combination of Dragon Wing Begonia and Torenia (any color).  They both love the same condition -- semi shade.  But, honestly, you could hand them more sun and they would both do just as well with a little acclimation.   Pop in an Autumn Fern and a couple Carex Ice Dance and you have one awesome container, both of which will handle some sun themselves.

 

So next year, when you are holding those impatiens in your hands and asking yourself if you really want to spend all summer watering them only to get home to find them pouting at you, think about Torenia -- awesome plants that ask for little and give so much.