First and foremost are the two chimney tile planters--these chimney tiles were my best garden trashpick ever, by the way, and I think that my back still twinges with the memory every time I look at them. Both were planted with 'Vodka' wax begonias and other complementary colored and silver plants. The sunnier one features a combination of lantana and 'Silver Falls' dichondra:
'Hopi Red Dye' amaranth and Japanese bloodgrass make nice surrounding companions, along with various small-textured herbs.
'Hopi Red Dye' amaranth and Japanese bloodgrass make nice surrounding companions, along with various small-textured herbs.
The shadier planter is much tougher to photograph, due to the unnamed brugmansia, 'Black Lace' elderberry, and peach tree that tower above it. (Okay, and due to my lack of camera skills.) But it features 'Gartenmeister' fuchsia and this silver lotus vine:
That silvery leaf encroaching on the lower right side of this picture is collard greens, by the way. I didn't realize that collards would be so pretty, or I would have placed them a little more prominently among the veggies!
Speaking of veggies, I kind of wish that someone had warned me that tomatillo plants have genetically ingrained plans for garden domination. My SINGLE plant is scrambling over 2 different tomatoes, a blueberry bush, an elderberry, a rhododendron, eggplant, and much more. You can see it above--and hovering over the sunny tile planter in some of those shots, too.
Last but not least is my native honeysuckle, lonicera sempervirens. I can't talk enough about how awesome this plant is, how long it flowers, and how carefree it is. And every time I stop to admire it, I think about how I first admired it in the garden of the lovely Annie in Austin... which makes me smile.
I'm trying to be more positive about the garden, so if I can successfully dodge raindrops I promise to find a few more photos and post them later this week. (Thanks again to everyone who left kind words of encouragement for this cranky gardener!)
14 comments:
It is certainly not all bad there...lots of cool things going on...I LOVE that amaranth. Hmmm..maybe next year!
Your planters are marvelous. Obviously the plants you chose to put in them appreciated their space. That Amaranth is a stunner. Doesn't it feel good to get your garden back into shape and then get a good soaking!?.
Your Lantana still looks so pretty. Mine has about fizzled out bloom wise. I love the contrast of the Blood grass and the Lantana. So pretty together.
Okay, first of all -- gorgeous! You're growing all kinds of goodies that hate me!
And, secondly - sorry I've not been supportive when you were down. I've been a terrible blog visitor this summer.
Lastly? Can I send you some seeds? I've got a bunch this year. And, some might do well in your area. They are very tough. Climate zones are changing and it might be nice to do some experimentation...
I do believe that unlike many plants, tomatillos are very concerned that we get more than enough. giving my garden some attention today when I get home from work.
Gosh you have some beautiful contrasting shades going on! Love the photos. I started a tomatillo but it never made it into the garden (oops), maybe that's a good thing after seeing yours!
I love the shadier container. The Silver falls looks restrained by the shade which is a very good thing and the lantane is a great choice.
That native honeysuckle is pretty rad. I may have to look into it for my own garden.
I love the bloodgrass, but it's a BEAST! You are so smart to leave it in a container.
Just made a giant container of salsa verde from the tomatillos. Love those little guys, don't you? So easy and so prolific!
Your garden's colors are so bright now. Mine are calming down. The cool weathe/shorter days is slowing down everything. Luckily that includes the grass.
nellie
Hello again, Kim. I really need to catch up on our posts! I'll be back soon :-)
As ever, I absolutely delight in seeing your excellent planting skills. A Study in Contrasts is an excellent title for your blog. I adore that first pic - my sort of colours and textures too :-D
Well Kim, you've done it again! A post filled with lovely combinations, color and texture. Could you please tell me the secret to growing amaranthe. I cannot get any of them to germinate! Love the chimney tile planters and must try to find them! Btw, I think you do a fine job of capturing your garden, but, I understand what you mean completely. My own photography limits are evident in my long shots. gail
Beautiful post...I love all those combos!
Hi Kim, I'm a new follower. I enjoyed your pictures and posts! We've got several things in common, besides gardening-so I know I'll enjoy your future posts!
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