Good morning, gardeners, and welcome to the Saturday Morning Garden Blog!
Not far from my front door, a rhododendron, a clematis and a ceanothus simultaneously bloomed over the Memorial Day weekend. It's always so much fun when something unexpected happens in a garden, and the patriotic display of red, white, and blue was surprisingly appropriate for the holiday. But once those blooms started to fade, the front entry looked a little anticlimactic. Planting anything new in the garden beds with the summer drought approaching isn't something i'm eager to sign myself up for. However, the month of May came and went and i still had empty planters sitting on my patio (oh, the horror!). Filling those empty pots with a little texture and color seemed like the perfect way to give my front door a refreshing, easy to maintain lift. Would you like to see how they all came out?
The creation of luscious, seasonal container gardens to brighten an entry or give color and form to a "blank spot" in a garden bed is a project i've always found a little daunting. I've read all about the "thriller, filler, spiller" approach, but when faced with aisles and aisles of potted options, i become paralyzed with the craziness of having too many choices to consider. My most recent trip to the garden center was no exception, and i initially filled my wagon with geraniums and petunias in colors and patterns i was sure would look smashing together. But then i gravitated towards what i always gravitate towards - perennials. I think they'll look quite nice once they've filled in a bit …
To the right of the front door - 'Little Spire' Russian Sage, Lavender angustifolia, Lewisia cotyledon Elise Bitteroot (large pot); 'Silver Lace' Tulbaghia (small pot); Echeveria affinis, 'Arrow Setosa' Echeveria, 'Black Prince' Echeveria, 'Violet Queen' Echeveria, 'Nigra' Kalanchoe tomentosa, 'Jitters' Crassula (succulents) …
On the left, the larger pots are identical, but the 'Silver Lace' Tulbaghia was paired with 'Huntington Carpet' Creeping Rosemary and there's a 'Grace Ward' Lithodora in the small pot …
On both sides of the patio bench, i planted 'Hill Hardy' Rosemary so the needles can easily be tickled while relaxing in the shade to release their spicy aroma …
On the bistro set, i put a little Labrador Violet. The tiny, heart-shaped leaves are so romantic …
Before …
After …
The pots flanking the garage were somewhat less successful, but i think they'll be fine once they fill in. There's a 'Purple Petticoats' Heuchera, 'Autumn Joy' Stonecrop and 'Cherry Tart' Stonecrop …
Overall, i'm pleased with the way this project turned out, but now that the planters have been tidied up, i really need to get to work on the front beds which look positively abandoned in comparison (you can see some of the weeds in the window reflection) …
Elsewhere in the garden, the Dogwoods are still blooming …
And while the aphids have unfortunately discovered this rose, wonder of wonders, the deer are pretty much leaving it alone! The scent is heaven …
In the orchard, it looks like the plums are going to have a good year …
As are the apples …
The buckwheat we planted in a raised bed for the honeybees is just now starting to flower …
And speaking of honeybees, out in the apiary, our honeybees continue to thrive. Queens are laying, brood is hatching, foragers are foraging, and already this year, i've been stung once in the ass and once on the snoot. Every rose has its thorns …
Do you have any container gardens you're particularly proud of this year? And what's going on in your neck of the woods?
PS: Here's the upcoming Saturday Morning Garden Blog hosting schedule. As always, if anyone would like to take a weekend, drop a note in the comment section (or send one of us a private message). We need more regular writers if we want to keep this series going, and new contributors are always welcome.
June 16th (Vol. 14.24) — Kishik
June 23rd (Vol. 14.25) — Merry Light
June 30th (Vol. 14.26) —
July 7th (Vol. 14.27) —
July 14th (Vol. 14.28) —
July 21st (Vol. 14.29) —
July 28th (Vol. 14.30) —