June 30, 2011

Expectations Exceeded

I do not normally plant mixed containers for my garden and have only had a few since I started gardening.  I really prefer to plant one thing in a pot (tree, shrub perennial, annual, whatever), but have lots of different pots.  That way I can mix everything together simply by moving the pots around creating a living collage.  At work we sell a lot of mixed containers, some we make on the spot, some are put together ahead of time on spec. and others we buy in already done.  Earlier this spring I put together a very drought tolerant combo all potted up into a large pedestaled bowl.  The centerpiece is a Cornelius Agave (Agave americana 'Cornelius') which is surrounded by three different Sedums - S. rupestre 'Angelina' , S. spurium var. coccineum (Dragon's Blood) and S. reflexum 'Blue Spruce'.  I also put in two colors of my new favorite annual, Yubi Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora).  I like the Yubis because of their large flowers, fleshy foliage, hot colors, and for the relentless drought tolerance that all Portulacas seem to have.  My only issue with them is that the blooms close up at night and on very cloudy days.  Though we have had some rain, I have only watered this pot once since it was planted 5 weeks ago, and I am very pleased with the results.

Drought Tolerant Planter (3)

Drought Tolerant Planter (2)

Drought Tolerant Planter

Drought Tolerant Planter (4)

Drought Tolerant Planter (5)

15 comments:

  1. Very nice Les, I love all the texture and color combos.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice!! I bought a fun Portulaca this summer, will be sharing some photos later. Love the agave and its friends!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Any container with an Agave is a winner in my book. The only question is why hasn't someone bought it?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great combo. I have a container this year with chili peppers as the centerpiece with a skirt of portulacca. Not as successful as your agave, but still nice. The hot colors are still complementary. And the big, solitary bees like mine too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm like you, preferring single varieties in pots rather than combos, but that works well. I particularly love the orange flowers, stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really love this combination.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very pretty--I love orange flowers. I like one plant in a lot of my containers too. I just made an impulse buy of a yellow torenia with purple edges and put it in its own pot.

    ReplyDelete
  8. i like portulacas too. the color is so intense... stands up well to the heat. pastels this time of year look faded and tired to me. your bee shots are great.

    ReplyDelete
  9. They're gorgeous, Les! I'm horticulturally challenged but my wife isn't. Still, folks give me strange looks when I mention her pot farm (peppers, maters, etc.)

    ReplyDelete
  10. honestly, great photography.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful color and texture combination, Les.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow! That's a "hot" looking planting. Beautiful choices and spectacular photo.

    Hope you're enjoying your summer.

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Les, You have mixed colors and textures to great effect. The shots with the bees are really splendid.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the idea of pots with one thing as well. But watered once in 5 weeks? I am in awe ...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Far more than could be expected, what a wonderful looking bee!! Great job again Les!!

    ReplyDelete