Saturday, August 23, 2008

Container Gardening

The other day my Mother told me to remind her "not to plant anything in pots next year!!" I knew why before I asked ...they are too much trouble for her. She said in this heat she is watering twice a day and they still look wilted. Grrr!


I started thinking about the container gardening I do and realized..I do alot! Other than the front porch, all my containers are in the back. I tuck them in here and there all over the yard. I may plant something in a container because it is so small I feel like I have to protect it until it grows up. With my drainage problem, it may be because the place I want a certain plant to be is too wet. It's alot easier to deal with dry places than boggy areas for me. But the most likely reason I do so much container gardening is because I like the containers I use.
This is a salvia greggi I bought at a neighborhhood plant sale . It was tiny, so I planted it in this red sap bucket.


Containers may be ceramic like these...



















Or really rustic like these...





Or, they may just be regular clay pots like
these...


This is a sweet potato vine still in the original plastic hanging basket. It's so much easier to control like this. And you can see the purple fountain grass in the iron planter are happy in clay pot homes. (this is where Fred hangs out!)



This is one of my favorite places..the "nursery."
It's where I keep all my cuttings trying to help them survive. Right now I only have coleus and one little salvia. It's shady here and protected for these little ones.











And of course, there's the wheelbarrow. It has changed quite a bit over the summer. I had to move it out of the direct sun because the coleus was so droopy. As a matter of fact, the coleus has taken over! Note for next year: don't overdo on coleus!














I like my plants in containers. I believe I will keep them. They are a little more trouble, but when you need something to add to an empty corner, I think they are perfect!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can't beat a container for adding fullness & color to certain areas of your yard Linda. Yours are gorgeous. The wheelbarrow looks so lush & full. They are harder to maintain because of watering so I don't overdue it too much. But your's look great so they must be happy in their homes. :)

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thanks pgl. As you can tell, I went way overboard with coleus this year. The funny thing, I didn't buy very many, only a very few. They are just so easy to start from cuttings--I went a little crazy!

marmee said...

i love the sweet potato vine. the lime green colour is great next to other darker greens. you have some great containers chalked full of beautiful plantings!

Susie said...

Meadowview-I think your containers look great! I enjoy creating them, especially at work where I have lots to choose from. The funny thing is I don't have hardly any here at home. I guess I have been busy concentrating on expanding my flower beds this year.

Meadowview Thymes said...

marmee--thanks so much! I like the lime green of the potato vine too. I think it really looks good with purple. One of my beds has some vine in with purple heart.

Susie--I bet it is really fun to create mixed plants in a container. I am never sure what to mix--most of my containers contain only one thing. I always say I'm going to try multiple plantings...maybe next year!

JenningsJunk said...

Talk about me not seeing the forest for the trees. I've been so taken by the beauty of your plants and the overall picture, with this post it dawned on me I haven't looked at the individual plants. Wow. Not only am I enjoying your plants, but now I'll be looking closer at your fun and unique containers. Thanks!!

Meadowview Thymes said...

jj--I don't think the containers are always noticable. And, I love that, especially when it's those things I have placed in an empty area. The plant itself is the main event! Loved the way you put it--"can't see the forest through the trees!"

~Laurie said...

This is a wonderful post. I love container gardening. I also LOVE LOVE the sign you have in your first pic. Do you mind if I "borrow" your idea for my garden?

misterreereeder said...

It is clear to see where your pride and joy is everytime I check out your blog. All I can say is WOW!!! It is great to have such a fun pasttime / hobby / or whatever you may want to call it.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Laurie, I would be honored if you borrow the sign idea for your garden. I found it at a little garden shop close by. I am so glad you like it and my containers.


mr, You are so kind! I'm glad you enjoy pictures of my garden. And, you brought up a good question: is gardening a hobby..or a pastime?? Hum..... :)

tina said...

I like containers too but I am with your mother, the watering is too much. I think I will try that patio water system next year and see how that works or downsize.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Mother will be thrilled to know you agree with her! I told her I did a post about this..and she repeated all the reasons she is tired of containers. Let me know if your system works. I have heard good things about them.

Balisha said...

Hi,
My first time here.I am new to blogging too. So much fun to see what everyone is doing. We are all so different. I love the fact that you can pick up a container "garden" and put it someplace else...to fill in or replace.It's fun to look for containers at sales.I have found them along the road...ready to be tossed out.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Hi Balisha!
Thanks for stopping by. Sounds like you are my type of junking friend! I love to find old things to use as a planter. They add so much character to the garden!