Succulents -- Beautiful and Easy

Okay, I know these aren't City containers but I had to share them with you so that you might consider using succulents in your own containers.  Wish I could use more in the City pots but besides the fact that they are a little too fragile to be left at the mercy of the many visitors who would be oh so tempted to touch them, it would be too much to ask for their watering needs to be the "exception".  But that is the best reason for you to use succulents in either your garden or containers -- they don't want, need or like a lot of water.  In fact, the thicker the leaves, the less water the plant needs to survive.  

There are so many different succulents from which to choose that you will feel like a kid in a candy store when you get started using them.  Naturally, I have my favorites.  Check out this container....

The tub I used is from Tractor Supply -- love the silvery look that picks up on the light gray of the Kalanchoe tomentosa - Panda Plant.  It is such an easy plant to grow and perfect for kids to start with in their little gardens.  Isn't cold hardy here in Madison but I have left mine outside until the temperatures got into the low 20s and it was fine.  I'll bring it indoors for the worst part of our winters.  It propagates so easily -- even if you lay a piece on top of the soil it will send out roots.  The other plants in this containers are sedum, sempervivum and echeveria.

This echeveria is one of my favorites called 'Black Prince'.  The color is so intense that it can be the star in any combination container and looks wonderful alone in a low bowl.  

Tucked under the kalanchoe is Sempervivum 'Red Rubin' and behind that is Sedum 'Red Dragon'.   Way in the back is Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy'... it has a soft blue leaf that echoes the kalanchoe.  

I love this one!!!  Sometimes you just get all the right components together in the perfect pot.  That big guy in the back is another kalanchoe -- yep, they look different.  This one is 'Flapjack'.  The more sun it gets the brighter the red edges are.  It is another one of those that can take some cold temperatures before you have to bring it inside.  This one sat in my garage without sun or water for several months before it went back outside -- lost a few leaves but it bounced right back.  

If you aren't using succulents, plan on using them next season.  There are lots of cold hardy ones available if you don't want to baby them through the winter months.  Just be sure to provide excellent drainage -- mix lots of grit into your soil; and don't over water them.  Less is better.  A slightly shriveled leaf will bounce back nicely after it gets a drink.  And the last bit of info is to use pebbles as a mulch -- it will keep the moisture away from the leaves so they don't rot.  Other than that, it can't get any easier and with such wonderful rewards.  Enjoy!

Pushy Petunias

Pushy Petunias!!  How could I say that about my favorite, most reliable petunia?  I mean it in the kindest way.  Petunia Easy Wave 'Misty Lilac' has proven itself to me over and over.  This season is no different.  While many other petunias have hit the market with their flashy colors or unique names, Misty Lilac just continues to outperform all of them.  And don't be swayed by its generic soft pink color.  This gal coordinates with so many different color combinations.  Admittedly there are lots of individual plants in this container, but it is a giant of a pot and needed lots of stuff to fill the space.

This is very early in the season before Misty Lilac even got going.  I have had to prune it back several times since to keep it full at the top.  Petunias tend to sprawl, leaving the middle open with few flowers.  But if you clip some (about 1/4) of the trailers back to the middle every couple weeks, it will stay full.  But....most important of all....you MUST feed these guys at least once a week with a liquid fertilizer.  Even Misty Lilac likes her "drink".  

If you are wondering what is in the background, that is the companion pot that has a grass in the center - a panicum for sure but I don't know the cultivar since I didn't plant it.  Around it are/were white petunias and pink verbena.  I say "are/were" because this side of the container did not get watered properly and the plants all died so I had to replace with what I had around.  Oh well.....

In the center of this container is a juniper communis called "Gold Cone".  It will only get about 5 feet tall by 2 feet wide.  We'll see how long it stays in this container.  Around the base of it is Sage Bergarteen which will eventually get full and much taller as the season goes along.  I'll keep you posted on how this one evolves.  

Here is another container with Misty Lilac -- it has Angelonia 'Serena White' between it and the Centaurea 'Colchester White' in the middle.  One thing I need to mention is turning the pots.  All of these are round pots sitting in the square outer containers and every several weeks I (and a wonderful young man named Jack) give them a 180 degree turn to allow for all sides to get sun.  Otherwise the "dark side" gets skimpy.  So if you can, turn yours to be sure the plants get an equal opportunity to grow to their max.  

Misty Lilac should be easy enough to find at most garden centers since it has been around so long and has become a staple.  If you don't see it, ask for it.  May not get it that season but the nursery should be able to bring it in for the next one.  Try it....you'll like it!!!

The Vibrant Vincas -- And Their Friend Angelonia

The last check on the containers showed that the vincas were doing great.  Most folks know about vincas -- those tough summer annuals that can withstand all the heat and drought you can throw at them.  In fact, they don't really strut their stuff until it is hot.  So anyway, I had to share with you what the containers around the Town Park look like after two months of growth.  

For the center piece I had left the Rosemary 'Barbeque' from the winter arrangements.  Unfortunately, not all of them put out new growth in the spring so you'll see a few brown branches and skimpy growth, but please look past that. Normally this variety of rosemary will nearly take over a spot, turning into a small shrub, so I'm not sure why some of these decided not to play with their friends this year. 

But let's check out some of my favorite vinca colors.

The variety that I used -- and always use -- is the Cora series.  They have proven themselves over the years to be strong, disease resistant and to produce mountains of blooms.  One thing I can say about the producers of the Cora series is that they didn't spend much time naming these guys.  This one is Vinca Cora 'Pink'.  Makes it pretty easy to ask for it at your local nursery.

Notice also that in every container I used Angelonia Serena 'White' or 'Purple' for a contrasting color and to bridge the area between the vinca and the rosemary.  If you haven't used angelonia in your containers or your beds, you have been missing out on another outstanding performer.  You will get continuous blooms all summer with little or no pest or disease problems.

This next variety of vinca is one of my favorites this year....Vinca Cora 'Apricot'.  It has such a fresh look to it.

It looks so good paired with the purple angelonia.  I plan to use this one in more containers next season.

There are eight containers around the Park so I used four different colors of vinca and mixed them with either the white or purple angelonia.  Unfortunately, I didn't seem to get a picture of Vinca Cora 'Burgundy' yet.  But imagine if you will a very deep version of the 'Pink' variety.  It looks great with the white angelonia.

Speaking of white....here is Vinca Cora 'White' mixed with Angelonia Serena 'Purple'.  This combination has a really crisp, neat look to it.

There are other combinations around town using Cora vincas but these are the most concentrated and easiest to find.  

You probably won't find the Cora series at the box stores but you will likely find them at the independent stores.  For locals, you can always be sure to find them at Thomas Orchards Greenhouse & Nursery in Watkinsville.  

Frucrea -- A Really Cool Plant

Frucrea -- weird name, hard to spell and not so easy to say, but I love this plant.  Its full name is Frucrea foetida mediopicta.  It looks like a classy "mother-in-law's tongue" or sanservia.  The leaves are stiff like the MIL Tongue but the color variations are so much brighter and defined.  It comes from the agave family but this particular variety doesn't have the sharp spines and extremely stiff blades as the others in the same grouping.     Here in zone 8 we still have to treat it as a houseplant in the winter, although my friend Barbie has kept hers outside in a pot through the winter.  The outer leaves do get burned but they peel off easily and the new growth comes in nicely to fill out the plant.  She also has lots of little "pups" coming up around the edges.  Take a look at it....

This plant is in Barbie's yard but I wanted you to see it alone to get an idea of the shape and also the good coloration.

Here it is in Container No. 16 on Main and Washington....

......nicely nestled in among two Kimberly ferns, two White Christmas caladiums and a scattering of Kauai White torenia.  Barbie gets maximum growth on her plant by feeding it "blue water" a few times a week, although the writeups say that it does not need much fertilizer.  Her plant is also in full sun while this one gets morning sun and late day shade.  It will be interesting to see how they both do.

Haven't decided if this one will stay through the winter in the city container.  The micro climate on Main Street is warmer -- lots of heat from the passing vehicles -- so it might do as well as the Blue Crisp Fern that is across the street.  The fern lived happily with its companion heuchera through the winter of 2012 and come spring they both flushed out with lots of new growth.  

But at any rate, I think it makes a neat summer container plant and would be happy indoors in a bright window, waiting to come back out next year.  And you guessed it -- not easy to find but worth the search.  

Summer Containers Are Lush

I have been away too long my friends and I apologize for that.  There was much to do in my own house as I found my way in life as "one" and no longer as part of a "couple".  Then it was time to install the summer plants in the containers.  Sage advice to all -- never take anyone for granted.  It took reinventing the process to get all the plants in by myself, but they are in and, with the rain and cooler temperatures, they are thriving.  So where to start....

Well, first to tell you that the Google map has been updated with the names of the new plants, so you can check there if you want container specifics.  All the containers have their brass numbered tags on the sidewalk side of the box to make the connection.  Couldn't be easier.  So let's look at some of the goodies that are out there.  

Container 9 which sits in front of the Post Office is bursting at the seams.  Sure gets a lot of attention from folks doing their mail thing.

The coleus in the center is one of my tried and true friends -- 'Indian Summer' -- which takes on a different hue in sun or shade.  This one is in full sun.  Surrounding it is Angelonia Serena Purple; and around that is a new little petunia called 'Lemon Glow' which has a lemony center with a soft pink edge.  I didn't think it could keep up with the other petunia Supertunia Vista 'Silverberry', but it has done well.  'Silverberry' needs frequent haircuts to keep it from spilling too far over the edge and allow it to bush out more.  This next picture gives you a closer view of the flowers.

This next container could be my favorite this year.  I like its look but the real test is how well it will perform throughout the year.  So far, everyone in the pot is playing nice with each other.  Take particular notice of the coleus --- 'Chocolate Covered Cherries' -- is that a neat name or what?

The autumn fern was part of the winter arrangement and stayed on for the summer -- love, love, love that fern.  Around the fern is 'Babywing White Bronze Leaf Begonia' -- new for this year; below that is Lysimachia 'Sundew Springs'.   Here is another view of this container....

And a close up of the coleus....

This photo isn't doing justice to the rich, deep colors of the plant.  Oh, by the way, this is Container 35, which gets morning sun and late day shade.  

There is more to share but I can see from the review of my photos I need to get back out there and capture some of the others in their prime.  Be back soon.

Heuchers In Their Spring Finery

I have been super busy either buying plants for the containers or changing out the plants in the containers.  So naturally some things got neglected....like the blog...again.  But while I was putting some White Queen caladiums in the Welcome Center garden I saw how beautiful the heucheras were that had been planted last season, so I had to share some pictures.  The new growth is so fresh and colorful now.  This is truly why we buy these coral bells -- just to be awed by the bright colors and their perky attitude.  

This little lovely is called Heuchera x villosa 'Georgia Peach'. The "peachy" aspect isn't coming through the photo as well as in real life, but trust me...it is an eye catcher.  The large bright peach leaves turn to rose in summer and rose-purple by fall with a silver-white veil.  Grows 14" tall by 24" wide.

Probably should have focused more on the leaf in the background where you can see the peach color better...oh well.

This one will come through better....Heucherella 'Alabama Sunrise'.   

This has bright, golden-yellow, deeply cut leaves with bold, dark red markings, small white flowers and a mounding habit.  Gets 10" tall and 15" wide.  

And then there is.....

Heuchera x villosa 'Pistache'....it is absolutely glowing in the garden.  Looks so good below the hydrangea that has a lime green vein right now.  Any of the villosa varieties are strong plants so you can't go wrong choosing one of them, but 'Pistache' can't be beat for the intensity of its color.  The large leaves vary from lime green to chartreuse-yellow, depending on light exposure.  It gets 10" tall and 14" wide.  

I saw a couple new ones at the nursery that were calling me to take them home.  A must have is called 'Buttered Rum' -- a soft orange coloring that is so much better than 'Caramel'. When I get it in the ground I'll be sure to share the photo with you.  Well, back to planting!!!

The Awesome Scent of Zephirine Drouhin

I went by the Welcome Center garden this week to see how things looked and what spring cleaning needed to be done.  Before I had a chance to walk through the gate I was welcomed by the soft lemony scent of the rose on the trellis. My all time favorite climbing rose, Zephirine Drouhin, was in full bloom and the air was filled with its lovely fragrance.  This is the second year for the rose and it has finally taken off and is winding its way around that stately black trellis.  With a little more TLC and regular fertilizing I expect it to completely cover the area by next year.  

This is a spring bloomer but very often, if it is really happy, it will repeat bloom throughout the summer.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

The individual blooms are almost like clusters of satin and I only wish there was some way to convey through the computer the delicious fragrance it gives off.  Guess you'll have to make a trip to the garden --- hurry though -- this won't last forever.

I don't want to slight my other favorite rose.  'Old Blush' is doing its thing right now also.  You might have to lean in to the bloom to get all of its glory since Zephirine is stealing the show right now, but it is worth the stop.

Both of these roses are old timey plants that have been in gardens for many years.  Isn't it nice that valued plants have withstood the battle of all the new cultivars.  New is good, but some times old feels even better....lots more memories for sure.

Rehmannia -- An Odd Little Plant

Every season I just have to try some new plants.  Some are absolute winners, some major flops; then there are those few plants that, while they make you smile, probably won't be back for an encore.  Rehmannia glutinosa falls into that last category.  Its common name is Chinese foxglove and that is what really enticed me to include it in a few containers.  The foliage is somewhat similar to the true foxglove (digitalis) but not quite -- this is more like something you would find in a weed patch.  It is officially considered an herb and used a lot in Chinese medicine.  But the flower does redeem the plant. All winter the plant just sat there in the container, lost under the shadow of the towering branches of its mates.  And just now it has decided to bloom -- and none too soon either.  I am about a week or two away from pulling out the tired winter plants and installing fresh faces.  But, here check it out and you decide yourself on its worthiness.

I have to admit that the flower does call attention to itself.  Not sure how long it will last on the stalk -- I'll let you know later.  

It is a large bloom -- will nearly cover the palm of my hand -- so that is a plus for it.

Because this is in a container with autumn ferns and a small handful of violas, I think I can leave it until the Rehmannia does its full cycle.  The ferns will only get bigger and can cover any potential ugly and the violas should hang in there until mid May and do its part to hide a mess.  I'll keep you posted on the progress of this valued herb and see how it does as a partner in pretty.

Over The Top Campsis Vine

I was out grooming the containers today. Well, mostly I was chopping back that darn 'Red Giant' Mustard.  And let me tell  you that when you cut one seed head out of the kale, three more pop up -- do the math on that one and you will understand why I am constantly grooming these days.  But that isn't what I wanted to share with you this time.  I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of the most awesome campsis radicans vine I have ever seen.  Drove all the way home to get my camera to capture this incredible vine......

For those who live in Madison, you have to go out of your way to see this vine.  It's hanging on the building where Madison Studios has an office (First and Jefferson).  Check out this closer view...

and this even closer view.....

Unfortunately I don't know the cultivar but I plan to contact the owner of the building and hopefully she knows.  Stay tuned and I'll be back soon with a name that we can ask for at the nursery.  

More Cool Stuff

Was out grooming the containers today.  Well, actually I was whacking back those wonderful 'Red Giant' mustards and cutting out the seed heads on the kales.  This warm weather is great for us humans but the cool weather plants think it is time to go to seed and take a long needed rest.  No can do, guys.  I need you to look good for another couple weeks.  While I was out there I took photos of a couple knock-out containers.  Take a look at the 'Starbor' kale in the big containers on Second and Washington.  

The center plant is Juniper 'Gold Cone' and the viola is Sorbet 'Sunny Royale'.  This is a 360 container so the plant run all the way around.  

If you look very closely you can see a pansy trying its hardest to show its face.  Delta 'Premium Pure Yellow' is a good grower but it can't compete with the aggressive kale and the hard working viola.

There are four black urns inside the Town Park.  They aren't very big and I had hoped the plants that were in them would make it through the winter.  While the asparagus ferns in other containers did well, these did not.  But some of the other plants did good and some did great.  Check out the pansy that is in two of them.

This pansy is aptly called Panola 'Fire'.  The colors range from a brilliant orange to a deep burnt orange.  They nicely filled the urns and covered the space where the ferns didn't do as well.

The other two urns did not get any color this time but the Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' made up for that loss.  The flower heads are awesome.  Not sure how long they will last but I am hoping for a couple more weeks.

I know that I brag on my favorite viola all the time, and here I go again.  But take a look at Sorbet 'Lemon Chiffon' in this container.  

The snapdragons are trying their best to keep ahead of the violas and the poor autumn fern is going to have to wait until I change out the plants before it will get the sun light it needs.  Ah, but I'm not complaining....I love that viola.  

One last goodie to share with you.  I think I have mentioned the variegated erysimum before.  Well, here it is in bloom.  The foliage is interesting enough in the containers but that sweet little bloom is like icing on the cake.

There is is poking its head out among the viola Sorbet 'Delft Blue'.  Erysimum is a much under used plant.  Ask for it as your independent nursery now so they have it for you in the fall. 

If you are local to Madison, Georgia, be sure to walk around town and check out some of these neat plants.  They are at their peak.  Warm weather is here so they won't be as happy as they were in the cool weather of fall and winter.  

A New Worthy Plant To Consider

As I was walking through town with a friend, she stopped in her tracks by one of the containers.  "What is that neat plant" she asked.  Duh, I couldn't tell her and I'm the one who planted it.  I didn't know because it was new to me this year and it has a tough name to remember.  But I sure will remember it from now on....Cherianthus 'Gold Dust'.  At the time of planting it was just a little pile of forgettable leaves.  But I am a sucker for new plants so I decided to give it a try. And when the flowers came out in late winter I was rewarded for my decision.  

Does this not shout cheerful

In the container with 'Gold Dust' is the pansy Dynamite 'Blueberry Thrill', Liberty Yellow Snapdragon and Carex 'Ice Dance'.  If you look closely you can see that the flowers fall away from the bottom, leaving you with color at the top for a long time.  Not sure how long it will continue to bloom but I will definitely use 'Gold Dust' again, even if it only has a short bloom time.  The impact is well worth it.

Another new pansy for me is Ultima 'Purple Lace'....dark purple petals edged in silvery gray.   Talk about a class act.  It is paired with Euphorbia 'Rudolph' and Dusty Miller 'New Look'.  Check it out.....

'Purple Lace' has been blooming consistently through the season, spent heads just droop quietly, not calling attention to themselves.

The addition of the Dusty Miller really pulled out the silver on the leaves of the pansy, and the dark purple stems of the Euphorbia made the final connection.










For whatever reason Dusty Miller has been able to shoulder its way to the forefront of the containers this year.  In the past it was lost in the crowd.  I'm glad it was able to strut its stuff so that this combination could come together.

I'm off to groom again this weekend and get more pictures.  Be back soon.

The Containers Are Strutting Their Stuff

It is with great regret that I have been away so long.  In February I told you that I had a personal event that brought a curtain of sadness over me.  I thought I would be back on track sooner but unfortunately that didn't happen.  Well, here I am now and excited to show you how great the containers look.  The cool weather and regular rain has provided a recipe for success.  Check these out.

This container holds Sorbet Ruby & Gold Babyface Viola, Bull's Blood Beet, Erysimum variegated and Euphorbia Rudolph.  All of these grew so well together -- no one was a thug.  

This is a close up view of the erysimum.  I love the purple flowers that seem to just pop out of nowhere.











 Another euphorbia that is performing really well in the containers is 'Shorty'.  Where Rudolph has darker green leaves and burgundy stems, the leaves on Shorty are bright green with green stems and its height is several inches shorter.  But both put out neon yellow flowers that look like fireworks.  

The viola in this container is Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.  Why the name?  Not sure, maybe because the flowers range from white to light blue and to deep blue.  Anyway, it's a catchy name.  Tucked in between is Bull's Blood Beet.   It provides such a nice deep burgundy color and here it made for a good separation.

A close up of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow gives you an idea of how the colors change.

More photos to come soon.  I took photos of the containers in numerical order -- they all have tags on them.  This is just the beginning....so come back soon.  

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!