Kia hora te manno
Kia whakapapa paumamu te moana
Kia tere te Karohirohi

May the calm be widespread
May the sea glisten like the greenstone
And may the glimmer of summer dance across your pathways

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Out with the old ~ in with the new

There was a sickly begonia growing in the lower left corner, but Dr Keewee could not save it. This morning the begonia was pulled, and replaced with the colorful swiss chard.The plant in the lower right corner, is Lewisia 'little Plum'
I think the combination of different colors, size and shape of leaves makes a pleasing display.

Coleus 'Glennis'
I have not had much luck with coleus in my flower beds, but this one is thriving in the pot, probably due to the fact that it was in a more shaded area, and was watered more often.

Swiss chard 'neon brights'

In the center of the pot is a Ligularia I bought at a farmer's market plant sale.

Also sharing space in the pot, is Acanthus mollis.
I have taken to buying mostly perennials instead of annuals to plant in pots, then when they become too large, they are found a permanent home in the garden. This way I put most of my gardening budget into plants which will be around for a long time.

6 comments:

Urban Green said...

Hi Keewee....love the mish mash of greens...
amazing how little arrangements make so much of difference..

Darla said...

It's a lovely container combo...

Anonymous said...

I do this too, Jennifer. It only makes sense to buy smaller [cheaper] perennials, house them in containers with compatible neighbors until inspiration guides you to a more permanent location. 'Glennis' is one of my three favorite coleus. 'Molten Lava' and 'Shocking Pink' are the others. I notice that Glennis and SP will get pinker with more sun and greener with more shade. I love this about them.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I like how it looks! I've been trying to use more perennials in containers too. I do love the Swiss chard, what a pretty color. I'm just starting on my fall platers and will look for some Swiss chard to add to some of mine.

ryan said...

Coleus is only a container plant for us, too. Good idea about using perennials for pots and then planting them out.

Chloe m said...

That is an excellent idea about planting perennials in pots and then planting them out when they get too big for the pot. I am stealing this ingenious idea.WOW,
Beautiful pots.
Rosey