This is a pretty viola -- sort of looks like violet-streaked ice cream. I was surprised because I was expecting something garish
because of its name.
Plants and Containers
This is my blog to talk about all things plants and the containers that hold them. Plus a lot of other gardening stuff.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Thriller, Spillers, Fillers . . . Where Did That Come From?
How to make a container 101. While, I think it can be attractive to add a vertical accent to a container, I also think following the spiller, filler, thriller rule of thumb, with the thriller being the vertical element, frequently can result in an unbalanced, unattractive container planting. Look at the two pictures below of the containers in front of the Visitor Center at the Morton Arboretum. Which do you like better? I like the one without the Norfolk pine (I'm not, actually sure it is a Norfolk pine, but it looks like one).
Try to balance the height in a container like the one below.
Try to balance the height in a container like the one below.
Since I Am On The Subject of Tall(er) Plants That Don't Flop . . . . Dahlia XXL Hidalgo
I love dahlias. Perhaps that is an exaggeration? I do really like them though. What I don't like is staking plants. I'm not always sure of the best way to do it and I don't like when you can see the stakes before the plants grow tall enough to obscure them. In that vein, I really do like this dahlia from Dummen . . Red Fox. It is a wonderful apricot color. I think it would look great mixed with Helenium and Sedum in the fall.
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Sunday, August 3, 2014
New Vintage Achillea
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Floppy, Weedy Yarrows
Does anyone know of a great yarrow? I haven't tried 'Coronation Gold'; that seems to be the most recommended. I tried some Anthea late in the season, by mail order, and the plants were doomed when they arrived. They had a serious stem rot going on.
I've tried Summer Pastels and now Papricka (I do like the color), but they flop and the inevitably look weedy. Also, like hair color, they fade.
I'm not sure that these are any better, but, Pretty Woman is an interesting red. Somewhat of a cranberry. And, Pink Island Form looks good in drifts. Thoughts?
I've tried Summer Pastels and now Papricka (I do like the color), but they flop and the inevitably look weedy. Also, like hair color, they fade.
I'm not sure that these are any better, but, Pretty Woman is an interesting red. Somewhat of a cranberry. And, Pink Island Form looks good in drifts. Thoughts?
Pink Island Form |
Achillea millefolium 'Pretty Woman' |
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Heptacodium miconioides, Seven sons flower tree
Always on the lookout for interesting plants . . . and small trees for urban settings. The bark on this tree is beautiful. And, after a very cold winter here in Chicago, the tree is still looking good this year.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
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