I planted the wheel barrowin the spring with lots of different things, knowing that some things will do great, others will not. And then of course we have this hot summer, so by mid June I had to move the wheelbarrow into the shade. At that point the coleus took over. (when will I learn that coleus always takes over!) It took over the thyme, that was trailing over the sides, but that was ok since thyme doesn't like being in the shade. And it took over just about everything else I planted. I moved the Blue Salvia to a sunny spot and decided to just let the coleus go wild. It was really pretty because there were so many different varieties, and pretty with the sweet potato vine. But the squirrels and rain and wind have taken a toll on the coleus now. I wanted to give the wheelbarrow a fall look, but without spending alot of money. So I bought 2 small mums and 1 small purple fountain grass. I didn't plant them in the dirt, I left them in the containers. That way I could tuck them into the bare spots. Then to top it off, I found a nice big pumpkin and nestled it in the middle. I love it! I can see it from my kitchen/breakfast room window. To me it just looks like fall!
And meet Stanley. He doesn't stand guard outside.
He doesn't scare crows. He just likes sitting here in this old chair thinking about crisp autumn days that are not too
far away...
14 comments:
I love your creativity -- I would have never thought to do any of this and yet it makes pefect sense!
Meadowview I really like that you planted your wheel barrow. Coleus really is pretty even if it does take over. Putting the pumpkins and mums in amongst everything looks great! I could feel fall over here.
Stanley is cute too! Is he sitting in your kitchen?
There's a wheelbarrow under there???? Wow, nice job, Linda! I've got to do something with mine now because yours puts it to shame. I haven't refreshed the soil for too long and it shows!
Hmmmm, I am not seeing a wheelbarrow. lol It looks super great! Love your coleus.
Thanks JJ! (this time it worked-thanks for doing this again for me!)
Susie-glad you could feel the fall over there! Stanley's chair is in the family room in front of a window that looks out into the backyard.
Cindy--yep, there's a wheelbarrow under there somewhere. I love planting things in unusual containers. This has been one of my favorites!
Tina, thanks! I actually "stole" this wheelbarrow from my husband years ago. He has never found another one like it, but oh well--gardening has it's priorities, right! :)
Your wheelbarrow of fall looks wonderful Linda. Very full & lush! When my hubby bought me a new wheelbarrow this year I wanted to turn my old one into a planter (it was metal & had holes in the bottom from wear). He didn't see my vision. Win some, lose some. :) Stanley looks like a very nice scarecrow.
Your old wheelbarrow sounds like the one I took from my hubby. He came home from golf one Saturday--and there it was, planted with impatients!
It is so full, the only evidence of a wheelbarrow are the tips of the handles sticking out the back. The coleus is so vigorous, that it practically carries the arrangement itself. What a great idea to add the mums and pumpkin. Fall is here.
Oh, I enlarged that beautiful, lush photo to see it all better! How breathtaking! Can't even see the wheelbarrow. I wish I had that luck with coleus, but I just don't.
Brenda
northenshade-it has been very full, but the rain from Ike created lots of holes, which made deciding where to adds mums and a pumpkin very easy! :)
Brenda-I'm glad you liked the picture. I'm trying to decide what to plant this winter. That is always a challenge. Can't believe coleus don't do well for you. Looks like you have some good shade in your beautiful garden.
I love your blog. I love the area with your treasures its just wonderful. I also love that wheelbarrow!!! I can't seem to get the coleus to grow. I am thinking they were to hot. How about trying a raised garden in the clay bed area? You could get an old bed frame and do something like that. but then they might cover up some of the blue bonnets. Well the gardening magazines are great idea because they have so many ideas in them. I look through them all winter and dream(-: Happy Fall!!!
Cindee--I think coleus do best in the shade, and they need water. They are easiest for me in containers.
I love the bed frame idea--"flower bed" :), but you are right about the bluebonnets. I get in bed every night armed with gardening magazines. Surely I will come up with something!
Have a good week!
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