I used to be opposed to container gardening, being of the mindset that if God wanted us to garden in pots, She wouldn’t have given us the big green earth. Or something like that. But I finally discovered the magic of gardening in a contained space, having the whole world in a single pot. And, generally speaking, there are no weeds! a particularly welcomed aspect of gardening during these hot, summer months.
I now have quite an array of potted plants on my front porch. And I have quickly discovered that success breeds more work and expense because the bigger the potted plants grow, the more often you have to divide them, meaning new pots, new potting soil and finding new space in which to put them.
I shouldn’t complain, though, because my potted begonias – which I managed to keep alive during the cold winter months by rolling them in and out of the greenhouse so often we were all dizzy – have been spectacular with leaves that measure literally ten inches across.
It has been such fun to choose colors and textures that complement and contrast with one another. This year, I chose red spotted caladiums and a gorgeous small leaved dark red and green coleus for the smaller pots and then have done really, really well.
When I was choosing the annuals for the small pots, I had to return the first selection to the nursery. When they asked the reason for the return, I told them it was simply not the right shade of red. They looked at me as if I was nuts but I have to live with this and look at it every day and life is too short to have clashing colors at your doorstep.
Now that the plants are established and take little time or attention (other than keeping them watered) I have turned my energy towards finding beautiful pots and what fun that is! This apricot angel wing begonia (which I have to keep separate from their pinkish red cousins!) looks stunning in this painted pot. Now, I’m wondering if I can’t paint my own pots, or do some raised plaster stenciling, or maybe buy a potter’s wheel and learn to throw my own pot!!!! Ahh, so many things to do.
Hope you’re having a happy summer.