I like growing my own food. Really, I do. But what I LOVE are flowers. I know I’m going a bit against the grain here, with all the “grow your own food” excitement these past few years. Sorry. I am who I am, and my inner gardener really sings when I see a pretty flower. So you can imagine how over-the-top excited I was to receive two boxes of Proven Winners plants for me to trial. Here’s what I did with the plants…
Plants used in my front door container:
- ‘Grape Punch’ calibrachoa (not available just yet, but ‘Blue’ is similar. The main difference between the two–as far as I can tell–is that ‘Grape Punch has a dark throat and ‘Blue’ has a yellow throat.)
- ‘Pretty Much Picasso’ petunia
- ‘Dark Violet’ angelonia
- ‘Mystic Dreamer’ dahlia
Check back in a week or so, and I’ll share a photo of the container once it has grown in a bit more. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
UPDATE: Here’s the pot in full bloom.
* * * * *
I received the ‘Grape Punch’ calibrachoa for free from Proven Winners. To read more about my review policy, click here.
You Might Also Like:
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful container, Fern! I love the mystic series dahlias more everytime I see them. With that amazing foliage, the vibrant flowers are just the icing.
Ahh, a fellow flower lover! I miss seeing you around these parts Bob! Do I need to post about flowers more to lure you out of hiding?
Thanks for sharing, Fern! Love container gardening. I spent decades planting up balconies. Makes all the difference in the world. Your planting choices are stunning. Can’t wait to see the container in a couple of weeks.
Thanks Cristina!
I am in the process of moving from Boston (6b) to Palm Beach (10). I’ve been giving away most of my garden an only have a few plants left. My Mystic dahlias -’Desire’ and ‘Illusion’- are definitely coming. I think I will miss my poppies, lacecap hydrangea, and casa blanca lilies most. Hibiscus, mandevilla, and shell ginger, here I come.
It’s not possible to grow poppies in zone 10? I grow them in zone 9, but they are a winter plant for us (remember that you’ll now be able to grow year round).
Growing pots full of flowers can be useful too though! Not only do they look beautiful in and around your home, but provide food for beneficial pollinators who in turn help you to have an even bigger bounty in the veggie garden! I’d say growing flowers can be as important as growing food.
Good point Veronica!
On one of my forums someone had posted about the Smart pots, and in trying to research them I saw that you’ve done a study on them. How did they do? Do they eventually break down? I think the pots would be easier to move inside for my avocado and mango seedlings, plus I would be able to have a larger container, especially the ones with handles. Do they hold too much moisture? The plants I’m thinking of repotting into larger containers don’t like wet roots. I realize that in the winter I would have to have these pots on something to protect the carpet.
Sharon–No, they didn’t break down while I have been using them. Though I would caution you about using them inside, they drain from both the bottom and the sides.
I love the picasso petunias but can’t find them here. This is my first year planting them and they are amazing!
http://typearamblings.blogspot.com/2011/06/gardening-hits-and-misses.html
Pamela–Check these nurseries near you for ‘Pretty Much Picasso.’
Great video Fern! Informative and I like your plant combo.
Shirley
So pretty – love the colors!
Thanks for showing us how simple a picture perfect container can be. We’re just starting out with small spaces since all our big spaces are pretty full.
Fern, I am loving this blog and absolutely HAD to share your pallet garden on our facebook page. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. Will be following!
Hey,just came across your page while searching for flowers to paint.You’ve got a lovely flower collection,must say!Coming to the point,I really like the pic on the top of the page with different types of flowers n I wish to paint it.Wanted to take your permission for it..Is it fine if I paint them?Thank you!:)
{ 1 trackback }