Last weekend I went to the nursery to buy two more hardy geraniums 'Rozanne'. But unfortunately they were sold out. But of course I couldn't leave the nursery without buying any kind of plant, that would be really not me. So this is what I got:
The plants with the small white flowers are verbena hybrids. This particular variety is called 'Aztec White Improved'. Since they are white and I love the color white, I simply couldn't pass them up. The blue flowering plants are called Laguna 'Compact Blue With Eye', lobelia erinus. They are a type of lobelias that I haven't seen so far. The blooms are decidedly bigger than the regular lobelia flowers and they have a distinct white eye, as the name says. Aren't they pretty? Last but not least I got two lavandula pinnata 'Buchii', a fern leaf lavender.
I couldn't find any time to garden in the week, but yesterday I rushed out when the sun was shining for a moment in the late afternoon and got to work. Inspired by a couple of my favorite blogs I decided I want to plant some containers to bring more color in the autumn garden. So I went into the garage and found two more of my beloved blue glazed terracotta containers and planted a combo of the white verbena, the blue lobelia, and the fern leaf lavender into each pot. I really like that the lavenders give some height and movement to the containers with their long flower spikes. In January this year I started to put blue spheres and blue containers into the front yard already (click here if you want to see the post about it) and I really love the blue splashes of color that those added to the garden, so I am ready for more.
My husband shot this close-up of the lavender flowers. Sometimes I feel when I am looking at a close-up like this one I see a new plant. The little flowers are perfectly build and are growing so symmetrical on the little flower stalks. Mother nature never fails to amaze me!
See you in the garden!
Christina
(you can click on the photos to enlarge)
The plants with the small white flowers are verbena hybrids. This particular variety is called 'Aztec White Improved'. Since they are white and I love the color white, I simply couldn't pass them up. The blue flowering plants are called Laguna 'Compact Blue With Eye', lobelia erinus. They are a type of lobelias that I haven't seen so far. The blooms are decidedly bigger than the regular lobelia flowers and they have a distinct white eye, as the name says. Aren't they pretty? Last but not least I got two lavandula pinnata 'Buchii', a fern leaf lavender.
I couldn't find any time to garden in the week, but yesterday I rushed out when the sun was shining for a moment in the late afternoon and got to work. Inspired by a couple of my favorite blogs I decided I want to plant some containers to bring more color in the autumn garden. So I went into the garage and found two more of my beloved blue glazed terracotta containers and planted a combo of the white verbena, the blue lobelia, and the fern leaf lavender into each pot. I really like that the lavenders give some height and movement to the containers with their long flower spikes. In January this year I started to put blue spheres and blue containers into the front yard already (click here if you want to see the post about it) and I really love the blue splashes of color that those added to the garden, so I am ready for more.
One of the newly planted containers went into the front yard to beautify the walkway to the house close by the front door. It is keeping another blue container company, which has exactly the same shape, but is of a little bit bigger size. The bigger blue container I planted with the Miniature rose 'Sweet Chariot' a couple of weeks ago, already. The Miniature rose is doing quite well and is growing nicely, but unfortunately is not blooming anymore. Its mauve/purple colored flowered would have given a nice contrast to the blue and white of the other plants and the blue containers.
My husband shot this close-up of the lavender flowers. Sometimes I feel when I am looking at a close-up like this one I see a new plant. The little flowers are perfectly build and are growing so symmetrical on the little flower stalks. Mother nature never fails to amaze me!
The second blue container went also in the front yard on top of the small post of the low wall that we have there, right when you enter the walkway to the house. I think of this container as a welcome sign put up to greet any visitor that comes to our house!
I found these blue feet in the garage and think the container looks better with them underneath. Somehow they add more interest to it and "loosen up the picture" a little bit. Unfortunately the blue glaze is chipped off in some parts, but in the photo it is not so obvious. Still I have to see if I can find some replacements.
When I looked at the freshly planted containers I noticed that I unconsciously have chosen quite spring-ish looking plants. Do you think I am in autumn denial? Hmm, maybe... I just hope, that these plants will continue to flower in the low autumn and winter light.
See you in the garden!
Christina
Christina ~ I love your blue containers and the flower arrangements you put in them. A wonderful welcome to all who visit, or even pass down your street.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great photo of the lavender blooms. I wish I could grow them here, but they do not like our heat and humidity.
Enjoy your lovely bit of paradise and thanks for sharing it with us.
FlowerLady
I must go shopping for plants ... Love the arrangements in the blue pots ,Christina !
ReplyDeleteGorgeous container combos here. That Lobelia really pops!
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady, thanks for you kind comment, I am glad that you love my blue containers and the flowers I planted into them! Too bad that you can't grow lavenders, since they are really lovely plants and you could dry the flowers and use them to fill the beautiful sachets that you are sowing. They do like the heat in my experience, but I can imagine that they don't like your humidity.
ReplyDeleteDani, thanks, plant shopping is truly addictive isn't it? But it gives so much joy...
hundredsofideas, thank you! That lobelia is really awesome, but it still has to proof if it will grow well in a container and in my climate. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Christina
Hello Christina,
ReplyDeleteYour discription of how the flowers look like is amazing. Your compositions of the plants are gorgeous. You asked me how many roses there are in my small garden. I think about 22. I am sorry that I don't have to much space to buy some others. I don't want to pull out my hosta's and other plants.
I think I have to be greatfull that I can enjoy those one's I have in my garden.
I wish you a great week
Marijke
So pretty! I just love the blue pots, and that lavender is so unexpected - it really makes one stop and take a second look! Love the lavender's fern-y leaves, too! I've not seen this type of lavender before - will have to be on the look out for it.
ReplyDeleteMarijke, thanks for your kind comment! I am glad that you like my plant combo for the containers. Growing twenty two roses in your own garden is great! I can understand that you don't want to pull out other plants to make more space for the roses. In my opinion plant variety is key in a garden, anyway!
ReplyDeleteHolley, thanks for you nice comment! I hadn't seen the fern leaf lavender before either and I was thinking I am the only one ;-)! Hope you can find it in Texas for your own garden!
Christina
Definitely spring-like - these same plants are blooming here now! But what's wrong with that? They look great in the blue pots, and I think the pot feet between the fence and the pot add just the right finishing touch.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Lyn! Glad that you like my spring-like plants in the blue containers and that you also agree that the blue feet "complete" the picture!
ReplyDeleteChristina
What a gorgeous lavender, such a true hue of blue! Very jealous that you are still enjoying such flowers!
ReplyDeleteMartin, nice to receive a comment from you, again! I also love the color of the lavender! Don't be jealous, we have our share of gray and gloomy days here in Southern Califorina, too, and the majority of plants stop blooming. I am just plant-buying me through autumn and winter :-)! I have no idea how my "spring-plants" will behave after they are in the containers for a while, maybe they stop flowering, too. Time will tell!
ReplyDeleteChristina
I love your container arrangement. I also want to try growing some lavender in pots permanently. Do you plan to keep yours only for the winter? I am wondering if lavender and lobelia/verbena would have the same watering requirements in the summer... I wanted to keep my lavender next to rose pots too! I can't wait to see pictures of your Sweet Chariot blooming next to the lavender.
ReplyDeleteThanks Masha! I think, the lavender will outgrow the container quickly, so my plan is to keep it there only for the winter and then plant it into the ground. Maybe you don't have to wait too long until you can see 'Sweet Chariot' blooming next to the lavender, since to my big surprise I just discovered that the Miniature seems to squeeze out a flower :-)!
ReplyDeleteChristina