Container combos: Gaura, Oxalis, Nicotiana lime; Petunia pink and purple, Coleus, Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost'; Strawberry, parsley; 18405 back driveway; 6/10/11

Container combos: Gaura, Oxalis, Nicotiana lime; Petunia pink and purple, coleus, Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’; strawberry, parsley in my back driveway

Over the years, I have amassed a collection of large containers that I place at the back of my driveway. Each year, I play with different plant combinations for them. Some years, I concentrate on using perennials and grasses; other years, I use mainly annuals but, always, I focus on foliage color as well as flower color. I also think about different foliage textures, forms, and heights.

Blue pots echo color of  spring bulbs

Blue pots echo color of spring bulbs

Whenever I design containers for clients, I use the same elements. One of my clients has a partial shade corner hill that is filled with bulbs in the spring and then a combination of perennials, grasses, and shrubs for summer through fall. At the top of the hill, we added three blue glazed pots that we plant in mid-May. For height and color, we have one canna with large green and yellow striped leaves in two of the pots and a Datura metel (large white flowers and green leaves) in the middle one. Then, to each container we add two Heuchera ‘Citronelle’ or ‘Lime Marmalade’ with their rounded chartreuse leaves and two white ivy geraniums that trail over the sides. All three of these plants are relatively drought tolerant and perform well in partial shade. I sadly report that I never went back to take pictures. During the winter, the blue pots brighten that spot and in spring, they echo the blue of some of the bulbs. I have named this Combo #1 and it would cost $59 plus tax if you wish to order it.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant) , Sedum 'Bertram Anderson', Portulaca ' Yubi Apricot'. The purple flowers are an allium that has seeded in the flagstone in front of the container.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant) , Sedum ‘Bertram Anderson’, Portulaca ‘ Yubi Apricot’. The purple flowers are an allium that has seeded in the flagstone in front of the container.

In front of my garage, facing south and thus full sun, I have five concrete pots of similar shape but two larger ones in back of three smaller ones. The middle small one (ten inches) has Sedum ‘Bertram Anderson’ that overwinters beautifully. I just cut it back in early spring and the new purplish green foliage at the front eventually trails over the side. Behind it I plant Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant), a very colorful succulent with fleshy paddle-like leaves that are apricot, green, and purple. Late in the summer, it flashes wands of orange but I really love this plant for its foliage. On either side, I plant Portulaca ‘Yubi Apricot’. This trailing succulent sports bright orange flowers all summer. This portulaca is also available in yellow or hot pink so the combination could be varied if orange is not your favorite color. However, this is a striking combination. I have named this Combo #2 and it would cost $28 plus tax if you wish to order it.

These combinations must be pre-ordered, no later than April 28.

Due to technological difficulties with my website, the information for my annual plant sale is not up yet. However, listed below are links to Dear Friends, Gleanings, New and Nearly New Annuals (although the pictures won’t be available until all of this posted on my website), and the Order Form (there is a box at the top of the New and Nearly New Annuals page that you can click on for the order form template). Just copy the link for each of the pages into Google.

Dear Friends

Gleanings

New and Fairly New Annuals

For the next few weeks, I will add some more combos that you can purchase. I’ve heard that I offer too many choices so I hope these will make it easier for you.