My first priority in the garden today was planting. An order arrived just a few days ago, and with baby plants in five inch pots it was no time to dally. Therefore my garden time was primarily spent planting two perennials and a tree - admittedly a four inch tall tree, but still... (It was, by the way, my eagerly awaited Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis "Lucretia Hamilton".) I also found myself replanting a little Vernonia that I put in yesterday. Vernonia lindheimeri var. leucophylla subsequently suffered a near miss from an exuberant dog, and a second look at it today confirmed that I had better pull it out and give it a better start.
Over the last week or two, I've been working to reduce the plant stash waiting to go into the ground. One result of all this is, of course, a rapidly composed Monday Vase. Another, however, is that this vase shows a couple of new faces: Lantana "Denver Red", which combined well with miniature rose "Daniela"...
...and a single long plume of Pennisetum rubrum.
There is also the workhorse of garden and vase, Russelia equisetiformis "Big Red".
It was indubitably a plonked vase this week, but I had fun with the flowers. As you can see, I have been deciding that I would no longer let the smell of lantana foliage upset me. And in fact, I am making progress... It is such a useful plant here - not invasive as it is in moister climates, but still tenacious enough to bloom off and on throughout the summer. Denver Red is supposed to stay at about 24 in ( 61 cm) tall.
There are a good many wonderful colours in vases as so many of us are watching the seasons turn. Do take a look at
Rambling in the Garden each Monday...
Happy Monday!
Weather Diary: Sunny with scattered showers; High: 84 F (29 C)/Low: 72 F (22 C)
That one packs a punch! The dark pot is perfect.
ReplyDeleteAutumn is a great time for planting, I'm eagerly awaiting a delivery too.
I wonder what will be in yours, Jessica! I think autumn has always been my favourite time to plant - the weather crisp and digging fairly easy ;-) So glad you like the vase; that little pot has proven tremendously useful for Mondays.
DeleteThe lovely strong colors are perfect for the beginning of autumn, Amy. I attended a fall plant sale at the local botanic garden this past weekend and need to get to planting my purchases too - hopefully the heat headed our way at the end of the week won't take my new plants out before they have a chance to get established.
ReplyDeleteI hope yours survive any heat coming along, Kris; maybe it helps that the sun isn't as intense this time of year either... Here the plants are rejoicing in a cool morning with some rain - and I hope it stays mild!
DeleteDeceptively simple and utterly gorgeous - I love it!
ReplyDeleteA big thank you, Joanna :)
Deletebtw, I'm afraid Wordpress ate the comment I left on your post; apparently the WP machine has decided I'm a spammer... :P But I did love the autumn views of your garden, and Tess is marvelous...!
Black and red are a winning combination Amy, the arching pennisetum adds a touch of elegance.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Brian :)
DeleteI think 'Big Red' is an apt name for that plant - such a vibrant vase!
ReplyDeleteIt is - especially as it looks to be working on attaining its full five feet of height... I'd forgotten it was expected to get that big! Thank you, Ann!
DeleteI really must look into growing lantana here - it has been a great contributor to US vases this summer! You may say you have 'just thrown it together' but they are clearly natural vase-fellows. Thanks for sharing and good luck with getting your planting done - I have a big box of bulbs waiting...
ReplyDeleteThey worked together without me having to think about it much :) The lantana is turning out to be such a reliable bloomer here; I'm sure that in a year or two I'll wonder how I ever thought of doing without it! Enjoy your bulbs, Cathy (are there any snowdrops, I wonder?) - I just picked up some of mine today...
DeleteI absolutely love the dark [pot filled with bright red blooms...really looks stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Donna - so glad you enjoyed it :)
DeleteThat is a super display, eye catching indeed Amy.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Angie :)
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