Comments on: An Evolving Gardening Philosophy

By: shari

shari — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:34:16 +0000

I am especially fond of grape hyacinths in pots since the foliage dies back gracefully and is unobtrusive as the other plants start to grow vigorously. After a couple of years you will have enough to pick a small bunch for a wee vase to tuck somewhere where you can enjoy them indoors too and still your pots will look great.

By: Fern

Fern — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:43:44 +0000

“There is no such thing as fuss free container gardening”

Well, to be fair, there is no such thing as fuss free gardening either.

I like your idea of tucking in bulbs. I have a bunch of bulbs that need planting, I think I’m going to try your method of finding spots where they can stay for a couple of years.

By: shari

shari — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:26:48 +0000

I use all sorts of things in pots. I find smaller ornamental grasses do well and are low maintenance for an easy permanent planting in the pot. I’ll add a perennial with a trailing habit (some of the tamer herbs are great for this) and then often add one or two more things that strike my fancy. I try to create new pots in the autumn, when bulbs are available and tuck small daffodils, jonquils, and grape hyacinths in when establishing the pots. These are the only bulbs that seem to be ok with being stuck in pots for years at a time and reliably return each spring for me here in the Bay Area (Sunset zone 14).

There is no such thing as fuss free container gardening; by its very nature this sort of gardening requires a lot of attention, regardless of what one chooses to plant. I have been avidly container gardening for 30+ years. The main trick is to group your plants together based upon growing requirements, especially light and water (this seems obvious but is so easy to forget as one wanders around the nursery, lusting after various plants). I’ve also found Osmocote to be a great fertilizer for pots because you can really control how much you give the plants, you don’t have to use much at all, and it lasts awhile.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:23:07 +0000

This past year I realized that flowers are too much work. My philosophy for next year is to use lots plants with interesting foliage, as they seem to provide color and texture without the fuss of flowers. That said, there are some flowers (like my Casa Blanca lily) that i cannot do without. The idea will be to balance a few spectacular flowers against lots of low-maintenance foliage plants.

By: GardenerAlmanac

GardenerAlmanac — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:15:05 +0000

@LifeOnTheBlcny great philosophy, one to live by

By: melanie watts

melanie watts — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:14:15 +0000

I’m all about making my gardening life, as well as the rest of my life easier. Hot summer days, for me, are about sitting in a comfy chair in the garden, enjoying the colours, the fragrances and forms of the plants while sipping a cool drink and perhaps reading a book.

By: Louise @ Buddy Garden

Louise @ Buddy Garden — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:55:59 +0000

I totally agree with you and I’ve gotten to a point where I just want to “sit among my plants” and enjoy them. Our east coast gardening season is very short compare to CA and the cleanup part at the end of the season is what I drag the most. I’m going to have a completely different plan next year and I always find so many inspirations from you!

By: meryemilymay

meryemilymay — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:15:14 +0000

i love your new concept its very inspiring