Click on the image for a listing of these low growing and trailing species. These colorful little guys are perfect for small potted gifts, living wreaths or strawberry pots.
Succulents for the holidays
New patio plants
Starting up a whole new planting scheme for our patio garden. Key to this approach is drought tolerance and low maintenance without sacrificing color and drama.
Herb Garden Spring 2008
A splash of color added to the front of our herb garden this Spring. In the past, this area was dedicated solely to growing herbs at a time when it received full sun. Herbs are now scattered throughout the back yard. This view is down the former driveway off the alley of our 100 year old beach cottage.
Neighborhood cats tend to gather at the head of this plot, where a clump of purple flowering catnip is growing nicely. Surrounding the gazing ball is delpninium, columbine, various nemesia & lobelia, pink yarrow, rosemary, several lavenders, spearmint & thyme. Further back is a buddleia in it's second year and a rather large, 16 year old lemon verbena. I suspect these two plants will intertwine and merge creating a "lemon-scented golden buddleia". Additional plants include heliotrope, Mexican marigold, comfrey, aloe vera & Texas tarragon.
Hybrid Petunia
Yet another patented hybrid in the garden? Afraid so. Maybe I will learn from my English and Aussie friends (among others) and start propagating more of the old world heirlooms. The variety seen here is Supertunia® ‘Vista Bubblegum’ planted among mint & angelonia. Even the name is steeped in Pop culture. Am I going to hell for planting these corporate progenies? If I am, at least it’s a colorful road.
Some nice folks at MyFolia.com recently contributed to a very informative post on patent law. This well researched thread really got me thinking about plant patents and my responsible stewardship as a gardener. I am too easily seduced by these sexy patented hybrids flooding the American market. I need to step back for a moment, and review the alternatives to this, albeit lazy approach to gardening. While there will always be some patented plants in my garden, I would like to reduce my over reliance upon them.
Patio Garden Spring 2008
Western patio view toward the deck and side fence. This area is an expanse of concrete between the deck and rear lawn. Probably the most used portion of the backyard. There are two seating areas, a dining table and the view here from a garden swing. Featured plants include: red pelagornium, alyssum, nierembergia, lemon verbena, purple lobelia, echinichea, heliotrope, plectranthus, angelonia, yellow lantana, penstamon, petunia, several gardenias & jasmines, lavender, hibiscus & canna lily. Various thymes, rosemary, mints & tarragon have been integrated throughout this container garden.
Perennial morning glory provides a beautiful backdrop along the eastern fence. This Spring I will be planting several bamboo varieties here to provide more privacy and create even more of a dramatic stage for the patio. Will need to break up some of the concrete to pull this off.
At night, the fragrance of this garden is intoxicating. Candles, tiki torches and colored floods provide just the right amount of illumination. New this year… wireless speakers. We can now pipe tunes from the house, or better yet directly from the garden.
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