Checking In On The Pansies - and others

Sorry I have been away for so long and not sharing what is happening with the containers.  A sad, personal event has kept me from writing.  But the joy of the flowers is helping me, so I'll be back on track.

The cold weather has made the kales and mustards very happy.  They are busting out of their assigned spaces.  Every time I am in town I stop by containers and cut them back to give the poor little violas a chance to get some sun.   The common question I get is "do I eat them"....no can do...I put insecticide in the soil.  Yuck!

But I wanted to share one of the pretties with you.  The container that sits on Main Street by the Perk Avenue Cafe is so striking right now.  There are Liberty Yellow snapdragons in the center with Carex Ice Dance woven in between.  The pansies are Silhouette.  A neat combination of purple and yellow.  It is such a cheerful arrangement.  

Probably should have tidied this one up before the photo but it was darn cold outside I just promised them I would get back later this week.

The faces of the purple pansies are so striking. What a great contrast against their yellow companions.  

I braved the wind and went down by the Town Park and got this photo of the Red Russian Kale.  It is not only thriving but is so well behaved, not nearly as rowdy as the Red Giant Mustard -- much less pruning is needed to keep it in check.  

Okay, a little grooming on the parsley would have helped this photo too but it is also doing really well.  Another cold weather fan.  But check out this cute little viola that is poking its way through the foliage.....

Now back to the really cold weather issue....here is an update on that tropical fern 'Blue Star' that I have left in the container on Main and Washington to see how long it would last.  I'm northern by birth (but southern by choice) and I could not have withstood the latest frigid weather we have had.  Looks great -- still no frost burn.

I have "understudies" waiting in the wings if and when the weather finally takes this soldier away but I'm thinking it may be a player again this summer.  Stay tuned!