My Flower Pots in May

I did not feel very creative with my pots this year.  I had no idea where they were going to sit on the new patio, and my brain is so occupied with filling all the new beds that I just threw these together.  I love how potted annuals add striking color that is consistent while the ground beds move in and out of blooms.  They also help soften the edges and, this year, add some mosquito protection (so Pinterest tells me anyway).  My favorite annuals are: loads of varieties of Coleus, Sweet Potato Vine & Purple Fountain Grass.  I looked for those 3 things and whatever else was on sale.

Calibrachoa 'Callie Purple,'  Variegated Lemon Thyme, Persian Sheild, Osteospermum hybrid 'Soprano Purple,' Purple Fountain Grass and Creeping Jenny

My first try with herbs.  They are right outside the door, and I love the close proximity to the kitchen.  It's so easy to snip and run.  I've already used the Cilantro twice to make homemade Salsa.  A great recipe from the Pioneer Women's Cookbook (here).

Cilantro, Parsley and Oregano

A few steps back and this is the setting….

To the Left of the above pots is another trio.  This is my favorite size pot.  It's just wide enough to add a few plants and tall enough to allow a showy cascading plant.  I love when they spill over

Sweet Potato Vine "Marguerite,' Variegated Lemon Thyme, Coleus, Solar light, Superbena 'Coral Red,' Purple Fountain Grass, and Coleus  'Henna'

Coleus 'Sedona' and Creeping Jenny

This pot was inspired by a photo I saw a few years ago walking into a local nursery with my Mom in Elgin, IL.  It was a dark coleus with chartreuse trim and bright Sweet Potato Vine, I've always loved the way the two colors play off each other.  Lets see if mine play as well together in this ugly pot.

Coleus 'Vino' and Lemon Coral Sedum

A few steps back and this is the setting….

I honesty bought this Coleus for it's name.  I read the books and now am watching Game of Thrones and Daenerys and her dragons are my favorite.   This is named Black Dragon.  The silver bucket, my daughter painted a few years ago.  If it was another angel you'd see it's a butterfly.  I realize now that a dragon plant in a butterfly pot is sending mixed messages…...

Coleus 'Black Dragon'

Celosia 'New Look' and Coleus 'Pineapple'

A few steps back and this is the setting….

On the table is an adorable pot from the Hershey's store in Chicago. I think we filled it with Rollo's and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups just so I could plant it.  It holds Chocolate Mint!   Clever huh?  Not my idea, saw a version of this somewhere online with an old metal Hershey's syrup can.  On either side are my root growing jars.

Chocolate Mint

I brought home some of these planter boxes from my Dad's barn a few years ago.  I've used a few before, but I've never thought I make them look good.  I wanted some height here at this corner, otherwise people might end up tripping over the pots.  It would be great if I put together a smorgasbord of color so one would not take notice of the box, unless they were marveling at it's crafty construction.  The Sweet Potato Vine is 'Blackie' and I'm not sure if it's a thriller or a spiller - I'm hoping for a spiller….more cascading action.

Red pot - Superbells 'Cherry Star' and 'Yellow' with Spike grass

Tall blue pot - Coleus 'Pink Choas'

Terra-Cotta pot - Sweet Potato Vine 'Blackie'

I think this one will be very nice!

Coleus 'Velvet' with Spike Grass

One of two hanging baskets.    I have more waiting to go up but have no idea where to put them.  Not sure if this one will stay or not.  The wiegela underneath was expected to grow much faster than it is, so the shepherds hook looks stranded out there. 

Impatiens 'Punch'

The other hanging basket

Lobelia

Finally, I found a place for my painted hanging pots!  They are filled with Sweet Potato Vine 'Marguerite' or Impatiens 'Punch or Diamond Frost.  They don't look like the online inspiration, but I really do enjoy them.  My husband's grandmother told me that whenever I buy annual flowers to cut off all the flowers after I plant them.  She said I'd hate to do it, but promised the plant would be healthier and the blooms more prolific.  Sometimes, I don't have the nerve, but when I do, I'm always glad.  Here, I cut the impatiens and the Diamond Frost.   The SPV - I have the mother plant in one pot, then took cuttings and pushed them into the other 2 pots - just to save a few dollars.  The price I do pay is: Patience.

Hanging pots on a fence.  Impatiens 'Punch', Sweet Potato Vine and Diamond Frost