Monday, July 23, 2012

Crazy about Containers - Update

I posted photos of my west container garden back on June 2 and decided now is a good time to show how all my lovelies have grown in this hot summer weather.  The watering has been quite the chore this year and  I lost a fuchsia in one of the arrangements because I somehow missed watering this one container on one of the very hot days... Oh well... There always seems to be some attrition with the pots because of weather, insects or overcrowding. (not normally to gardener neglect but accidents do happen from time to time) No one else would ever know there is a plant missing from that pot but I actually do keep track of each and every plant that goes into every container arrangement...   Anyway, the border is looking pretty wonderful right now and I love this time of year when the west fence is ablaze with color and texture.


I'll bet you can't see where the missing fuchsia was in this pot?

The best news about this arrangement  is this beautiful acalypha.  It was a cutting I got from a generous gardener we met on the Buffalo Garden Walk last summer and is looking great at the moment.

This container is shaping up to be one of my favorites this year. I really love the play of dark red-violet and the coral colors of the flowers.


I've recently moved one of the very large containers out of the west border and into the Sundial Garden to ease the crowding  and fill in a blank spot left by the finishing daylilies in the Sundial Garden. One of the advantages of having so many containers is I  can mover them about as needed and they provide color and interest in the borders later in the season when the perennials are winding down. 

The huge chartreuse plant in this arrangement is a five year old phygelius. It's just starting to set blooms now because I've kept it pinched out to make it bushier.  The coral flower color of the soon to be blooming phygelius will coordinate beautifully with the variegated Sunpatiens.

Vignette with the large hanging basket... What's not to love?



This begonia was one of my 'finds' while plant shopping this spring. What a beauty! Unfortunately with the low price there wasn't an ID so I don't know what it is.

And yet another arrangement...

OK I guess I'll stop now.  It's time to get outside and water my conatiners....

12 comments:

  1. So very pretty! I have about 30 containers and I know how much attention they require, but I love taking care of them. I can only imagine how much time you devote to yours. I sure am glad that you do!

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    1. Thanks Gayle, like you I really enjoy the container gardens. Between all the pots and the borders here it is a full timejob in the summer but a labor of love!

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  2. I really enjoy it when you zero in on individual containers and share what went into assembling each one.

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    1. Thanks Marie, is there any one in particular you are interested in the plant ID's for?

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  3. Deanne, these are all individual works of art and I love seeing them in detail! Hope my containers are still alive when I get home tomorrow !

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  4. This is really mind boggling! The amount of containers and how each one is just perfectly and artfully arranged. You are the Queen of Containers Deanne!

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  5. Thanks Kathy and Michelle! I'm hopelessly addicted to container plantings and the possibilities for creativity with each and every one.

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  6. That begonia from Olivers certainly was a find. Everything looks great, Deanne. After being away for a week I suspect I will have to add container maintenance to the to-do list. I haven't walked around yet but it's looking rather jungle like out there.

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    1. Thanks Sue, yes indeed, that begonia is a beauty. I'm loving it. I'll bet you need to do some pruning with your containers. You got a few bouts of rain that missed here so you should be in good shape down there water wise. Would love to see your gardens sometime soon.

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  7. I have a similar coleus (yes...me!) to the one in your "missing fuchsia" container. I just love the leaf shape! Mine is darker with orange and brown tones. I haven't seen others like yours...yet! Maybe next year. I'll try to get a decent photo of mine to show you.

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  8. It is a dizzying array of combinations that I find hard to pick one as a favorite, Deanne. You have so many special plants and the care and devotion you give them is rewarded by their incredible flourishing. I think you outdo it year after year. Thanks for the amazing photographs and "close-ups" -- WoW. Cindy H.

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    1. Thanks so much Cindy. I am definitely an incurable plant collector.

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