An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

February 28, 2016

Summer Color 2015 II

     This is the second part of a review of what my team and I designed and planted at the Norfolk Botanical Garden last summer, part one is here. One of the plantings I was most pleased with were the containers in front of our Administration Building. The bromeliad is Aechmea blanchetiana, and I love the color it turns in the sun. It was combined with Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart', Dichondra 'Silver Falls', and vinca 'Cora Lavender' (Catharanthus roseus), which was more pink than lavender, but like others from the Cora series resisted the funk that vincas can get in periods of heavy summer rain.
Administration Building (1)

Administration Building (3)

Administration Building - Aechmea blanchetiana (2)

     On the backside of the same building, surrounding a fountain, we planted Cordyline 'Red Sensation', more Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart', surprisingly durable and florific Crossandra 'Orange Marmalade', and a new coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Henna'), which did very well for us.
Fountain Garden (1)

Fountain Garden (5)

Fountain Garden (3)

     There are few petunias that do well for us all season, but one that has is 'African Sunset'. We used it at the Café, along with 'Sedona' coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Sedona'), Solanum integrifolium (a.k.a pumpkin-on-a-stick), coral Stachytarpheta, and yet more Tradescantia (I may have to impose limits on myself with this plant). On the adjacent patio we filled pots with some of the same plants, and anchored them with 'New Zealand' castor bean (Ricinus communis) and foxtail palms (Wodyetia bifurcata), which were lousy anchors as they caught the wind and the pots blew over several times.
Cafe Planters (1)

Cafe Planters (3)

     At the entrance to our Tropical Garden we used more of the Cordyline 'Red Sensation', Asclepias 'Silky Gold', golden shrimp plant (Pachystachys lutea), 'Black Pearl' ornamental pepper (Capiscum annuum 'Black Pearl'), a red New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri), 'Macho' fern (Nephrolepis biserrata 'Macho'), and 'Marguerite' sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Marguerite').
Top of the Tropics (4)

Top of the Tropics (3)

Top of the Tropics (2)

     For the bed in front of our Children's Garden, the horticulturist responsible for that area created a family from clay pots, enjoying a picnic, including the family dog and a bird. I couldn't believe how many parents stood there and watched their children walk right into the bed to touch the pot people - or worse. Until the plants filled in thickly, she had to repair the creations constantly. No home training! Anyway, I can't remember all that went into this bed, but I do know it included Ageratum (probably 'Hawaii Blue'), Melampodium, an upright Celosia, cape plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), Echinacea 'Pow Wow', Dahlia 'Mystic Fantasy', and a dwarf yellow Cosmos.
Global Gateway (1)

Global Gateway (5)

Global Gateway (3)

Global Gateway (4)

     Despite its location in our Perennial Garden, the channels that radiate from the central fountain are always planted with annuals. Last summer we used an odd mix of plants, most of which are more commonly known as edible or commercial crops. The planting included 'Black Madras' rice (Oryza sativa 'Black Madras'), red okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), roselle hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa). black-leaved cotton (Gossypium herbaceum 'Nigra'), ornamental peanut (Arachis pointoi 'Golden Glory'), coleus 'Gay's Delight' (Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Gay's Delight'), and a new for us vinca, 'Jams 'N Jellies Blueberry' (Catharanthus roseus), which didn't look like its picture and didn't play very well with the other colors.
Channel Beds (1)

Channel Beds (2)

Channel Beds with Abelmoschus esculentus

Channel Beds with Arachis pintoi 'Golden Glory' (1)

Channel Beds with Gossypium herbaceum 'Nigra' (1)

Channel Beds with Arachis pintoi 'Golden Glory' (2)

Channel Beds with Oryza sativa 'Black Madras'

     The only garden that disappointed me last year was the Circle Garden. We had carefully selected a color scheme, and a key component was a particular Torenia, and at the last minute our plug supplier could not supply, so we had to take a substitution that threw the whole thing off. However, I loved the 'Lime Zinger' elephant ears (Xanthosoma aurea 'Lime Zinger'). Every time I entered the garden I thought I was catching a glimpse of the South Pacific.
Circle Garden  - Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger'

Circle Garden  (1)

     I have one more group of photos from last summer which will show our bridge baskets, and some succulent plantings which came out really well. I will post these later. Until then, if the weather is nice and you feel like a taking a stroll with your camera, I would love to see you enter my 2016 Winter Walk-Off.

23 comments:

  1. Very pretty! You and your team did a great job. Everything looks so lush.

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    1. Thank you, Renee. Most of that lushness came from good rains this past summer.

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  2. It's amazing what you were able to accomplish with only 500 people to help. Is there any notion to go more to perennials to reduce the 'annual' work. The colors are incredible. I have thought about trying to make a corner the garden more or less 'tropical', but would be so far away from what you can accomplish.

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    2. John, 500 would be a little generous. I'd say 6-7 people would be more like it. We have reduced the amount of space devoted to annuals, but will keep many. Playing with annuals is fun to me.

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  3. Looks like a must-see garden! Love the orange Crossandra. If I'm ever in eastern VA I'll have to visit.

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  4. I haven't seen ornamental peanut before. It's lovely!

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    1. Sweetbay, they use it in Florida, where it is hardy, as a lawn alternative in hellstrip/parking lot planting to avoid yet another place that needs mowing.

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  5. Love the purples and oranges together! Zowie, you have a great job!

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  6. Those are all seriously bold colors you used. Nice combinations. On the Children's Garden I think you got it all wrong. Children's gardens should be gardens the kids can touch and feel and walk among. The display of the family is quite creative but what fun is it for little kids to simply look at it? Maybe a fence around the area might help in the future.

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    1. Hello Tina. Our children's garden is huge with plenty to touch. However, we had children walk right into the beds and try and pick up the pieces. I was there when one mom watched her son damage the bird. I was the one that had to say something to the child.

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  7. You have an enviable job Les! It must be fun to work out planting schemes and create container plantings. I like the Elephant Ears and might try to use one this coming summer.
    Sadly I missed last year's walk-off, but will do must best to participate this year. I think I'll walk up to the old greenhouse....

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    1. Jennifer, working with annuals is one of the best parts of my job. I do hope you will have time to join my Walk-Off - bring the dogs too!

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  8. Yesterday I could have easily imagined these scenes but not in today's very brisk weather and certainly not with snow predicted for tomorrow and Friday.

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    1. We are on the same roller coaster, Georgia. Looks like 70's next week though.

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  9. The weather seems to say summer is on the way some days this winter. I do hope that summer is as as beautiful as you showed here. I do like the "green" roof on the ticket booth. It looks so European.

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    1. Donna, that green roof is in major need of an overhaul. If you could see the backside that is more shaded, you may not think it is as beautiful as pictured.

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  10. I have got to get down there this summer!!! Gorgeous!

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    1. Tammy, if you come down, please let me know.

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