Spring Plants and Porch

I started gathering plants for my pots several weeks ago.  I planted most of the pots two weeks ago and they are looking great. 

I have a lot of green plants that stay outside year-round.

 But, when the weather begins to warm up, I am ready

to plant my pots with flowers that I will enjoy until late fall

Here's the planter that I have on my front porch. 

  

Here's what most of my pots looked like a few weeks ago.

The pansies worked hard this winter, but it was time for them to go.

Here are some pictures of my back porch and side patio.

I often use the plants (above) in larger pots, but I'm going to try them

on a small table pot and try to keep them pinched back.  I am

also trying some flat leaf parsley in this pot.  If it does well,

I'll try it in some other pots next year.

Lately, gardeners around here have

been using a  "recipe" for their planted pots.

The recipe is pretty easy.

You need:

1. A thrill (a showy plant)

2. A spill (a plant that trails down)

3. A fill  (the other plants that fill up the rest of the pot).

In this pot (above), you might be able to spot my three "ingredients."

1.  A larger coleus named "Kong" 

 It's a little small now, but it will get bigger and

 really look nice.  It is in the back right with the

green and red leaves.

2. I love creeping jenny and I love to use it in my pots. 

It is the plant that is trailing out of this pot.

 I love the color and it holds up well in our Alabama heat.

3.  I have some splash and begonias as my fill plants.

I have found that these plants work well on my porch and in our long hot summers.

The little white purplish flowers in the bottom

 of this pot is alyssum (Easter basket variety).

My baker's rack looks like this almost year round. 

.

I use a lot of pinks in my pots as a general rule. 

But there was something appealing about making this

pot with lots of green foliage and little flowers in white and purple.

This pot has some variety in it.  Verbena (pink blooms), the darker purple below the

verbena is Joseph's Coat (it comes in a bright green, too).  It stays low and doesn't

 flower.  The bright green in the front is sedum and it can take the summer heat. 

I save the little identification tags for the plants that I am least familiar with.

 That way, I'll learn their names and also, so I'll remember them next year

 and if I want to use them again.

I still have a few plants left over and I will make a couple more pots to enjoy.

 Here's a sneak preview of our next outdoor project!!

Have you done any spring planting?  I'd love to know!

Joining the party:

Nesting Place's

Planting Party