I won't complain about the weather. I know many folks are suffering under extreme heat and other difficult conditions. I will say, however, that we aren't having typical June weather for these parts. But no denying...it is comfortable.
Some plants are growing very slowly, while others are trotting along, happy as can be. So, for this Six on Saturday, here are six groupings faring well in the cool, comfortable, adequately moist weather. Above, the 'Lollipop' Lilies (Lilium hybrid) are lovely paired with Lacecap Hydrangea blooms (H. arborescens subsp. radiata).
My "mostly foliage" mixed pots are filling in nicely.
These two buddies have been together in a pot for a few years now: Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) and Fuchsia 'Autumnale.' They spend the winter in the sunroom, and the summer in dappled shade.
The pink Cleomes (C. hassleriana) I planted in the side garden pair well with the perennial 'May Night' Salvias (Salvia × sylvestris).
Woodland Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica) blooms in several locations. This little grouping flowers a little later than the others, but it looks naturally happy near the rock wall, interspersed with Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris).
My "mostly foliage" mixed pots are filling in nicely.
These two buddies have been together in a pot for a few years now: Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) and Fuchsia 'Autumnale.' They spend the winter in the sunroom, and the summer in dappled shade.
The pink Cleomes (C. hassleriana) I planted in the side garden pair well with the perennial 'May Night' Salvias (Salvia × sylvestris).
Woodland Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica) blooms in several locations. This little grouping flowers a little later than the others, but it looks naturally happy near the rock wall, interspersed with Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris).
Finally, the Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera) is now blooming--better late than never! I had to be careful, zooming in from a distance, because robins are nesting in the Rose arbor.
That's my six! Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting "Six on Saturday"!
Your display of mostly foliage plants in pots looks very good indeed and the Woodland Pinkroot is very striking.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm really enjoying the foliage grouping--the colors, the patterns, and the forms. The Woodland Pinkroot is wonderful because it grows so well in shade with bright, vibrant color.
DeleteI adore Ostrich fern. I am letting it take over a bed in front by the front steps but of course, it wants to grow out of the crack between the steps and sidewalk. It looks great with the Spigelia. Nice that you are giving the robins some space. I am still seeing birds getting nesting materials from my garden.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The Ostrich Ferns really seem to like the "edges"--edges of garden beds, edges of growing conditions, edges of sunlight changes, and so on. The robins have been very patient with me, but I don't want to scare the parents out of their nest to leave the little wee ones before they're ready.
DeleteLovely one and all! I do so wish I had better luck with Cleomes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris. I haven't grown the Cleomes for a couple of years, but I really like them and they perk up their spots in the sunny garden. :)
DeleteYou are good at arranging pots of foliage artistically. And cleome, I haven't grown it for a while and I don't know why, it's so pretty,
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chloris! It's fun to play with the pots because I can do something different every year. I know--I hadn't planned to plant the Cleome, but it called my name at the garden shop. ;-)
DeleteI've never heard of woodland pinkroot before, it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen: The Spigelia is a wonderful native North American woodland plant. Technically, it's not native this far north in the Midwest, but it's common and native just south of us in Illinois. The colors are so bright. :)
DeleteI like your foliage pots very much. I don't have the shade for plants like yours. Polka Dot plants are so cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. I'd trade you some sun for some shade. ;-) I like having some areas of shade, but I get frustrated when some plants simply don't thrive here, or I run out of sunny space for things I really want to grow. Oh well...
Delete"Cleomes". Thank you! A garden on our local garden tour had these and I, as the photographer for the tour, took a nearly identically-beautiful photo like yours, but I've never run into these before.
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for your kind words. I haven't grown Cleomes for a couple of years, but I really do like them. They're great filler annuals, the pollinators like them, and they're just...fun!
DeleteThe Woodland Pinkroot is very sweet! I've not seen Cleomes before - I don't think they're very common here.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathrin: There are many rewarding things about the Woodland Pinkroot--one of the main benefits is that it grows so well in shade and dappled sun. It's hard to find a native plant with such bright color that grows well in shade. Also, the hummingbirds and bees like it, too. The Cleomes aren't hardy here, but they're wonderful fillers for a flower garden or a potager. :)
DeleteSpigelia and cleome are my favorites this week. That reminds me that I didn't sow any cleome seeds for this summer, but unfortunately, it's too late. I still have some for next year!
ReplyDeleteOh fun! I could see starting Cleomes from seed, but I fear they would take too long to get going in my climate. How quickly do they grow for you, from seed to bloom? I'll have to think about that for a future winter-into-spring "experiment."
DeleteGenerally, I sow them in April in a tray in my greenhouse or attic, then prick them out around mid-May for summer flowering. Fred
DeleteI love all the different shades of foliage you've got going on. I enjoy trying to find as my different types of coleus each year. I like less finding out which ones the slugs like to eat.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I'm a huge Coleus fan! The mottled patterned/mixed colored ones seem to perform best for me, although I love the chartreuse varieties! I haven't had a huge problem with slugs on my Coleus plants, but I've mainly grown them in pots.
DeleteI love all the foliage. Such a treat in a garden especially in the shadier areas. I do miss my native swamp rose and your Prairie Rose gave me joy. Getting hot here this week....90s and humid!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna. I usually mix in more flowers in my pots, but I went crazy with colorful, patterened foliage this summer. The Prairie Rose is blooming with abandon now! 90s and humid here through Thursday. Stay cool!
DeleteThe heat is here, hopefully our tomatoes will take off in this heat wave we are having. Otherwise, we might have a poor tomato season.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the Prairie rose, one of my grandpa's favorites.
Carla
Yes! I noticed the Tomatoes weren't happy with extended low to mid-70s. Now the plants are really taking off! Next week--80s, so perfect for summer edible and ornamental plants. Yay!
DeleteWow, everything looks so beautiful. I love the lily in your opening photo, how pretty is that.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, it's a lovely Lily. And it looks so pretty near the Hydrangea. :)
DeleteThe Spigelia is always a favorite of mine. It's hard to believe such an exotic looking flower is native to the US. Mine is just putting out buds right now, so it looks to be a few weeks behind yours at least.
ReplyDelete