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 Eggplant 'Hansel'
‘Little Lucy’ is a dwarf red okra. She is a vision in green and red. Her leaves have maroon veining, her stems are deep red, and to top it all, the pods are a deep burgundy red. Ornamental just doesn’t seem an apt description for this versatile plant. Use half whiskey barrels for a tomato crop. Although tomatoes are not very ornamental, they are a huge addition to the summer table and palate. If you underplant them with basil your pot will do double duty. When you select containers for any part of your garden, make sure they have drainage holes. Cover the drainage holes in the bottom of your pots with something thin that will not restrict the water flow. Coffee filters, some broken clay pots, or a flat stone all can be used over the holes. There is a new, lightweight product called "Better Than Rocks" that is easy to use and doesn’t add to the weight of the container, a consideration when you are filling large pots. If your chosen pots are clay, be sure to soak them for several hours or overnight before you fill them with potting mix. Clay pots will need more water throughout the growing season. Their porous sides allow fast evaporation. When you water clay pots, drench the outsides as well. Blend compost, slow-release fertilizer, and water retention crystals into dampened soil-less mix. If the mix you purchase contains some of these additives, adding a bit more will not hurt. There is massive competition for food and water in these overplanted, contained spaces. Feed your plants again later in the season with a water-soluble fertilizer labeled for use on potted plants, to keep the foliage healthy and thriving.  Tub of Lettuce A trough of fleshy succulents will give you subtle color and easy care all summer. These toughies do not require any fertilizer and almost no water. If you are looking for plants that truly thrive on neglect, look for these winners. You can even grow vines in containers. Just add a trellis or some kind of tall decorative pillar for the vine to grow on. There is a smorgasbord of ivy shapes, sizes, and even colors to choose. Growing ivy in a container is also the safest way to have it in your garden. It tends to get away if planted in the ground and soon plays Tarzan in your trees. Tropicals are made for pots. So many are grown indoors as houseplants. Bring them out and give them a place of honor in your shady garden. Large split-leaf philodendron looks great paired with cast iron plant. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) has splish/splashes of white on its foliage, which makes it an easy addition to a shady border. Single sculptural plants are eye catchers. They punctuate a space and draw attention either to a feature of your garden or to an entranceway. Palms can grab the spotlight or soften corners. Do not overlook the large bromeliads, cordylines, cannas, and phormiums. They, too, make stunning single specimens in formal containers. Where would the shady garden be without the cooling lacey greens of ferns. Set them on a pedestal for instant pizzazz. Next week, more on containers – Using foliage instead of flowers. ---Posted by Coach Anne, April 30, 2008--- |
