Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Francie Gross on May 21, 2011 at 4:15am

The largest planters I use are half wine barrels, but I have lots of them, mostly with vegetables. This year I saw a Gunnera at my local nursery and decided to plant a green shade planter on the front patio. This is my first attempt at this kind of planter mix, and so far, everything's doing well and looking wonderful. The Gunnera, with it's large leaves and prickly stems is in the back. I also included a fluffy Hakonechloa (in front), a blue bacopa snowstorm (on the left), a Polemonium (barely visible on the right) and a lucious Ipomoea "Blackie" (alas, totally invisible in back.) I've never grown hibiscus in my garden, but my neighbor has had success with two varieties, so I'm tempted to try. To me, they don't seem to grow very fast, but they're so pretty they're worth the wait...

Permalink Reply by Donna on May 21, 2011 at 8:00am

oops, I think I replied to the wrong person just then.  This is gorgeous, love the Japanese forest grass!

 

Permalink Reply by Jessica Hilton on May 21, 2011 at 6:18am

Definitely put in a large focal as your pots are large,I love alocasia (upright elephant ear) gives bold upright substance.Colorguard Yucca is a great plant also because of it's form and durability.I try to add a lot of evergreens when I do a large pot so They can carry carry their own 365 and it saves in the long run by not having to fill it up every spring.Good Luck.,heading out to the garden before it g ets too warm, supposed to be 87 here today in North Carolina and Ive got grasses and pentas to plant today.

Permalink Reply by Donna on May 21, 2011 at 7:59am

oh man, I'd love some warm weather up here in the Boston area!  It's been a cold rainy May, especially this week.  Love the pot. I love the Japanese forest grass, I've got a border of that started in my yard. Thanks for the tips, have fun!

 

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on May 21, 2011 at 12:30pm

Donna, not sure where you are, but you've done well so far, your planters are very pretty.  I am in the mid-atlantic and while not built in, I use large planters all around my patio.  I agree with Jessica's comment, elephant ear is a winner and adds a great exotic feel.  I underplant it with shade plants like hosta and creeping jenny, both of which I see you have as well.  I also use tropicals that come inside as house plants in the winter, coupled with both annuals and perennials that stay out.  So many options....... 

Permalink Reply by Francie Gross on May 21, 2011 at 5:52pm

Tammy, your rubber plant is fabulous! Mine looks pretty bad - I left it outside this winter because I was down with a broken hip and didn't even think about it. I'm being nice to it now that I'm back on my feet, and it looks happier, but I'll definitely bring it inside next winter. What is the large plant in the bottom picture? It's wonderful!

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on May 21, 2011 at 9:11pm

Thanks Francie, yes I bring the tropicals in for the winter.  They have sunny windows, but I pretty much neglect them for a couple of months.  I think in most cases, there are exceptions, they do well being allowed to get a bit dry and almost go dormat.  I start tending to them more in Jan / Feb and by mid April most are ready to go outside again.   The rubber tree started as small plant in six inch pot.  It goes through an incredible growth period from about mid June until I bring it in in Oct.  the large leaved plant in the bottom photo is Elepant Ear. 

Donna,

While my Elephant Ear are in partial shade and do very well, I know folks who have them around their pond in full sun.  They are thirsty, so keep them moist and you should be good. 

Permalink Reply by Donna on May 21, 2011 at 8:02pm

Hi Tammy:  Thanks for the reply.  I love your photos. The elephant ears are gorgeous! My planters are in a very sunny location. Do elephant ears do well in the sun?  I did buy two large hibiscus plants today, but I'm going to need to fill in.   The pictures I posted were last  year's.  I actually moved the hosta and creeping jenny so I could try something new.

 

Here's where I'm at now with the deck planters. And I did one other pot today for the pool side.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on May 21, 2011 at 9:17pm

The hibiscus are lovely and will give you nice colour all season.  I also like the planter by the pool and especially the frog.  I have a little fondness for frogs.  Elephant Ear would look great by the pool and no worry about flowers dropping into it.