Upon arriving in the gem state I was thrilled to design and plant several containers for a local business. What could grow here? What were good container plants? The landscaping in this area is ‘natural’, shall we say. Professional garden design is not as obvious here, as in Western Washington (the land flowing with milk and honey). I see an occasional geranium or petunia in … Continue reading Idaho Container Design
This is the first year I’ve grown Clarkia and I’m a believer now. We grew it from seed for our plant sale at school and I was not impressed with its beginnings. It was floppy and rangy and never could decide whether to grow up or down. I transplanted four starts to a nursery pot and there was trouble. Over the following month, three of … Continue reading Clarkia pulchella
This year nasturtiums have been a bright spot in my garden. I brought some seedlings home from school in the spring and stuffed a bunch of them into two hanging baskets. They are so cheery and a hummingbird favorite. Even though they began well, I won’t grow nasturtiums in hanging pots again. There doesn’t seem to be enough room for them. They keep reaching and grabbing … Continue reading Nasturtium
I saw this flower at the FarWest Show in Portland last month and had to stop and stare. I had never seen anything like it . The bright pink flowers are spectacular, especially with that fuzzy green foliage. Growing in zones 9-11 it’s an annual here in the Pacific Northwest, but who cares, I want one! It’s described as very floriferous and reblooming for 2-3 … Continue reading Pink Zazzle
I planted this container for a client and it finally came into it’s own when the purple fountain grass grew. For months this Pennisetum ‘Rubrum’ just sat there and waited out the cool months, barely inching its way upward. Finally, towards the end of July it started to shoot out and now in August it’s the focal point. Combined with the geraniums, verbena and calibrachoa, … Continue reading Pennisetum Pot
Rainyleaf 