Some Summer Winners

Once again Madison missed an opportunity to get that blessed rain we so badly need.  The perfect hurricane -- if there is such a thing -- entered the Gulf, did not do horrific damage, moved its way up into Georgia with lots of rain to share.  But not with us!  Oh well, there are still several months of hurricane opportunities to come.

On this otherwise rainy day I thought I'd share some sunshine with you through some pictures of containers from the past years.  All with the "tough as nails" plants that I like to use.

The plants in this photo are two of my favorites.  Coleus 'Redhead' and Supertunia Vista 'Bubblegum'.  In a normal year, not one like this overheated disaster, Redhead will keep its color, not go to seed quickly and not bolt.  This year it did hold its color well but struggled with too much heat and not enough water, wilting frequently.  A daily watering would have kept it handsome.

The perfect combo for a shady area.  Caldiums, Dragon Wing Begonias and Torenia.  It must be said though that the begonia will outsize everyone else by the end of the season if it isn't kept in check.  But that is so easy to do and it doesn't show stubby stems when nipped back.  If I were to do this arrangement again, I might consider putting the begonia in the middle with the caldiums around it with torenia as fill-ins between them.  There is a container now near the Courthouse with these plants and it has done very well all summer -- no wilt and continuous blooms.

Perky is probably the best word for this arrangement.  Purple Angelonia with Vinca Cora Punch. The middle plant is a rosemary that doesn't add any color but gives a stable centerpiece.  This year's plants have done well against the heat -- a continuous bloom and finally given their Monday drink, reviving themselves after a long weekend without water.  The vinca does need to be clipped back regularly or it will sprawl and not maintain its upright behavior.  Again, easy to do and with no sign of the haircut. While the angelonia doesn't need clipping, randomly nipping out the spent flower heads will encourage more blooms.

Hopefully, these cooler day and the light rain we did get will revive the containers -- giving them enough hope to keep on going until the fall/winter plants can be installed.  I know I'm looking forward to the change.  Hopefully you enjoy this pleasant change in the weather.  A cup of tea and a gardening magazine await me as I plan for the fall colors to come.

And The Heat Drags On

The weather man, well actually it is a weather woman on Channel 2 am TV, must be bored to death with reporting the weather.  It is the same exact report every morning:  "Temperatures will range from lows in the 70's to highs in the super high 90's -- and by the way -- NO RAIN.  I have given up even hoping for relief from this heat and I know that the containers have surely given up all hope.  As I told you in the last posting, a goodly number of containers had to be redone.  As I groomed them last night I see that even the new plants are toast.  I really didn't imagine they could get their roots spread out enough to collect the precious water that is given to them three days a week, but one can hope.  With the intense heat from Mother Nature and the equally intense heat from the passing cars -- well, it just was a lose/lose proposition.

But I am not a woman to give up.  I'll head back to the nursery and get a couple more pretties to keep the containers looking at least passably good for the next 6 weeks until I can install the fall/winter plants.  Good news though!!  I just received the availability from my supplier.  The tried and true varieties are on the list and I think I'll stay with them for the most part.  Although the creative creature in me will still seek out a few new and unusual ones.  Something for folks to seek out and for me to watch and write about.  Winter doesn't give many opportunities for unusual plants but maybe a new cultivar would be interesting to try.  In upcoming blogs I'll tell you about some of the ones I will source so you can check them out for yourself.  And I'll be sure to let you know where you can find them.

Which plants are thriving and striving?  Well, it depends on which containers you are looking at.  For reasons yet to be determined, the same plants are struggling in one yet bursting out of the pot in another place.  The alternatheria is turning into a small shrub by Chop House but at death's door by the old Ricky D's.  Watering maybe!  This is a worthy plant for a solid, backdrop color in a bed.  Interestingly the torenia that nearly died right after planting is now filling out and blooming.  I have no answer for that, sorry.  Just glad it revived itself and decided to join the party, even if it was late.  It is another worthy plant that would be happy in a semi-shady garden at the edge of a bed.  The newly planted crotons are doing okay so far.  They do like the heat and can withstand low level watering so just maybe they will hang in there for fall.  Their bright yellow, orange and green variegated leaves are perfect backgrounds for those pumpkins we will soon be buying.

I have actually spent some time in my own garden - a promise I made to myself in January - no not a resolution - those get broken before the last bubble in the champagne glass bursts.  This is part of my vision for my yard - put in plants that attract birds, butterflies and bees!  Yes, bees.  They are an integral part of nature and need to be encouraged to visit by planting their favorite food.  Remember, no bees - no food for you!!  I'm telling you about my own garden because some of the treasures I have found are at the big box stores -- Lowe's and Home Depot.  Lots of goodies on the 75% off racks - perennials to be nursed back to health for next year and annuals to add a bit of color in this year's beds.  But get there early -- I've had near epic "hat sale" events with gals grabbing pots as fast as they can.  With that said, I'm headed to Lowe's to see what else I can add to my slowly growing "Martha Stewart" garden.  And as soon as I find out who her gardener is mine will look just like hers.

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.