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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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. 
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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:


Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special



Nesting Place's








16 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Marsha- Your plants all look lovely. It is too early to put anything outside here in the Upper Midwest. WE don't do any outside pots/plants until after Memorial Day. Can't wait to see what your project is~ xo Diana

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

Now you've been busy! Yes, we've planted a few flowers, picked up my Kimberly ferns, and a few tomatoes and peppers! Ready for warm weather!

Sue said...

I wish I could create beautiful pots and planters! I just don't seem to have the knack. I think I need an ABC guide as to what plant to put where! LOL Seriously.....

I put out a couple of urns of geraniums and petunias outside my front door before we left for NC. Last night I had to cover them because the temps dropped so low and we had frost. I envy you girls that live in warmer climates. You seem to always have blooms! I'm anxious to purchase my Kimberly ferns as soon as they get to the nurseries. They get so lush with all the humidity we have here in the summer. And I don't kill them! :-) Sue

Dawn said...

Your plants are so lovely and full. I sure enjoyed the beautiful blooms. Thanks for sharing:)

chateau chic said...

All your planters and pots looks so pretty for spring with all your flowers. Love this time of year.
I'm a new follower and hope you'll stop by.
Mary Alice

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

Your pots put mine to shame! You do a great job.

Nancy @ The Headmistress said...

Heading to our WI home before Memorial Day, and hope to have some 'container gardens' similar to your beautiful things! Thank you for a beautiful post!

Teresa said...

Love that recipe for a beautiful potted plant.
Your pots are amazing!
So bright and fresh.
Love your patio furniture.
Happy Day Marsha!
xo

Sue said...

Ooo...your flowers look gorgeous. Our weather in Illinois is so strange right now that I'm holding out until our usual May 1st before planting. Everything is in bloom, the grass is growing like crazy but we've had to cover our outdoor plants a couple of times recently because of frost...so, in another week or so I hope to have my pots look half as pretty as yours!

Kelly said...

Love that formula idea for creating interesting potted plants! I'll have to remember that one. Your plants look great. I, too, love creeping jenny.

Fishtail Cottage said...

Coming over from At the Picket Fence linky party ~ love that it's that time of year for plantig pots, it just makes the idea of outdoor living more beautiful! I host a garden party that starts up again next Thursday (May 3rd) would love to see you link up sometime! xoox tracie

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

You pots are gorgeous! You must have a green thumb!

thistlewoodfarm said...

What a great idea. A thrill a spill and a fill. Perfect! I will remember this recipe for my back porch plants!

Have a blessed and wonderful day!
karianne

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Marsha, Your container plants are beautiful and I love the two outdoor chairs. I have been busy working in the yard and filling the pots with plants. My favorite time of the year!
Hugs, Sherry

High Street Cottage said...

Hi Marsha, what wonderful plants, and such great tips, thanks bunches, tami

Fishtail Cottage said...

Beautiful planted pots! would love to invite you over to Fishtail Cottage's Garden Party (still going on!) to link up! hope to see you ~ enjoyed reading the "recipe"! ha xoxo, tracie