Know When to Hold 'em - Know When to Fold 'em

Well folks, it is really time to "fold 'em" on some of the containers.  The weather hasn't been as brutual this year as it has in the past, but the containers still had to struggle to keep up their best appearances.  And that struggle shows in those containers that had all day sun and minimal watering.  I finally decided that even though I don't have the winter plants in hand to change them out, that it would be better to just leave empty containers of dirt than to have stringy, yellow plants sitting there, longing for the peace of the compost heap. 

At 35 miles an hour, this one might even have looked "okay" but up close you could see it deserved a rest.  This is one of the containers with three Sunpatiens.  Lost one late in the summer to some fungus -- leaving a good sized hole -- but the other two hung in there until this last week and then they started failing.   Not a pretty sight!

 

 

I'll have to spend some time investigating what makes Sunpatiens happy cause I sure didn't find the formula this year.  But there were some "hold 'ems" that will stay in the containers until the first frost.....let's get some happy pictures going here -----

 

 

How about this Kong Rose Coleus  -- three small plants were put in the container in May and now they look like they could actually take over the Empire State Building.   If you need a plant that loves the shade and gives you a big return on your investment, any of the Kong Coleus are a good buy.

 

On a smaller scale, Angelonia are definitely a must have in any container or garden bed.  After everyone else had given up the game, they were still blooming strong and looking good.

 

 

All of the Angelonia that I used this year were from the Serena series.  But there are others that will perform as well -- maybe with smaller flowers but still worthy players.

 

 

So be prepared....there are now four empty containers on lower Jefferson, across from the Park, that either look better or worse -- depending on your attitude about life.  But, hang in there, in just a few days there will be bright new plants that will love the cool weather coming our way.

 

 



 



 

 

 

 



 

Kong Coleus - A True King Among Coleus

Kong Coleus stands out alone in the large field of coleus.  Everything about it is big -- the stems, the leaves, the colors.  Kong Rose is part of the Madison Container collection and you can find it on the corner of Main and Washington (near Merritt Law Offices), and in the Welcome Center Garden.  The container is getting morning sun but then goes into full shade, which Kong really likes best to maintain its bright colors.  Too much sun and the color fades then the leaf scorches.  Not a pretty sight, so keep it where it is happy and be sure to give it plenty to drink.  This is a big boy so it needs the moisture.  That said, be sure the soil has good drainage because it doesn't like to sit in soggy stuff either.  


Kong Rose Coleus

18-22" tall x 12-18" wide
8-10" wide leaves
Full to light shade - some morning sun

Pinch flower heads as they appear
Fertilize monthly with a liquid solution



This Kong is paired with Dragon Wing Begonia and Autumn Fern.  The flowers of the begonia echoing the rose color of the coleus; and the lacey foliage of the fern being repeated in the markings on the coleus leaves.



Kong Coleus come in a range of colors - most often with the bright green outer edges and rose, red, scarlet or pink in the center, but you'll find some that are light green on green and also a mosaic coloration.  I've seen them sold at the box stores but like so many of the good plants, you can find this one at Thomas Orchards & Greenhouse in Bishop, Ga.