Annually I plant Annuals

I have been itching to plant my annuals but have held off because of the weather forecasts that have included numerous frosts over the past few weeks.  Sunday morning we woke to find a light coating of snow!  I could've blurted a whole bunch of expletives but I knew it wouldn't last so I kept my tongue! By mid day it was gorgeous.

The sun came out and all the snow melted away.  Enough of all that nonsense!

I dug out my cedar trellis that's been in storage for too long.  I picked up a clematis that I hope will grow on it nicely.  It's a perfect spot according to the information I read on it.  They like their roots kept cool and the plant loves to be in the sun.   I also planted some sweet pea seeds figuring this year the clematis won't amount to much.  

See the tulip up front?  Well yesterday it had a flower but today it did not!!  I'm curious what bit it off.  I had Dan put the trail-cam back up to see who's visiting the yard.

Last year I picked up two hanging baskets from this small greenhouse called Petal Pushers that I love visiting.  There are 6 small greenhouses here.  Some for sun, some for shade, some for vegetables, and herbs.  I love these small family owned places and can't say enough about buying local.  The owner and her husband have headed out to the other greenhouse to get my two hanging baskets that I had them re-plant for me.  I chose to have them plant them so they could get a head start in their greenhouse and she only charged me for the plants since I bought the planters from them last year.  Can't beat that deal!

How cute is this- a metal mannequin stand with a pot of petunias!  I went on line to see if I could find these but they all hit around $90 to $130.  I never thought to see what she was asking for it.

Fun planters and hanging baskets.

Various begonias.

This is Datura, Angel's Trumpet.  I have never grown this but it looks so interesting. 

I took a few shots while waiting for them to come back.  These begonias are so pretty.

Here they come!

I went with deep red, yellow and white this year.  Can't wait to see these grow!

Because of their cone shape we have to support them with a bucket.  I'm going to wait a little longer before trusting them to be hung up.  Both hanging baskets have the same color theme, same geraniums but the yellow and white flowers are a tad different because on will get more sun than the other.

These are from last year.  I bought them because the planters matched but the plants weren't identical.  They both had a large variety of plants but this year I decided to keep it a bit simpler and generally they'll look matched.

We wheel this cart in and out of the garage daily as I wait to start planting.  It should be in the upper 60's by this weekend.  I'm definitely planting these by then!

I hope your weather is great and that you are enjoying planting things!

Updates on the Planters and Perennials

The new planter with the big metal sphere has gone wild!  I'm wondering if I should go ahead and trim the plants back or leave it alone.  The sphere has disappeared and I'm surprised how tall some of these got.   

This weekend the patio is getting treated to kill off the grass and weeds that aren't supposed to be there. Every time Dan wanted to spray we were going to get rain and we'd like a few days of dryness before the surface is soaked again.  I mentioned before we're going to try that mix with the Epsom salts, vinegar and dish soap.  I've read it's very effective!

The white Sunpatiens have done great- though they wilt so easily.  They don't tolerate getting dry.

Just beyond them you can see the purple petunias which have become huge.

I am tickled with how this Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes) has takeoff. The dangling Dichondra looks like water falling which was my goal since the cute little planter had that big fake water drop hanging from it!  I suppose I should nip back that long branch that shot out but in person it looks cute.

I found this plant growing out of the side of a planter.   I took my chances and transplanted it.  It looked dead for a couple of days but sprung back to life and now it's flowering daily so soon I will find out what it is.  The dirt I used in the planter came from out back near a composted pile of leaves and pumpkins.  The flower is large and kind of an orange/yellow so I'm kind of thinking it's going to be a  pumpkin plant.  

The campanula has been flowering now for a couple of weeks.  The center looks like something laid in it so now it's sort of spread into a U shape.

The hostas are blooming all around here.  

When I planted these hostas they stayed small for a good while but have gotten large and threatening a takeover of the pathway!  The satiable is just getting going- should make a good sow soon!

Apparently I needed more hostas!  I saw a plant at a store that wanted a ghastly amount for them so I checked with my local "Hosta Lady" and she had some.  These are called Gypsy Rose.  Now I need to find a spot for them!   They are hard to find so I'm glad I got some.   Next year they'll look a lot better.  Looks like I could split these into four plants!

The geraniums in this planter by the garage finally started to bloom like crazy!    

The day lilies have been blooming away too.  

Sunday Gloves

By the house my planters are doing great.  

The rooster statue got a new paint job.  I decided to use white this year for several things.  

 When I chose the colors for this planter this year I decided to go all white to represent milk!

I've always thought the "flying pig" was such a cute symbol of optimism!

The pink watering can was pre planted when I got it and both the geranium and begonias have been doing great.

 These planters are going great.  I was hoping the yellow petunias would show more but I think the star flower plant may be too much competition for it in the size pot it's in.  The fuchsia is a big plant and owns a lot of real estate in the pot too.

 Both of these planters are growing like crazy.  My "Portland" Cha Ching petunias that I brought home with me are doing great.  The licorice (Splash) plants I put with it have taken over a bit but their mingling nicely!  The fiber optic grass has overpowered the white alyssum which is increasingly hard to see.  The begonias are holding their own- I may have to do some grooming of the grass- we'll see!  

I'm in love with this combo.  The Diascia (Genta Pink) has been performing non stop for a while along with the Euphoriba.   The Tri-color Sweet Potato Vine is my new favorite! The geraniums (So Amazing Neon) finally started to bloom- sure have been slow!

Out back on the arbor the planters are filling out nicely.  As you can see the wandering jew is doing great.  

At the right height you can really see a lot of growth.

 The plants in the little red wagon are going great.  I was out here around 8 a.m. and the sun peaked through and highlighted the flowers for me just in time!

I love how the ivy is spreading out too.  

So that's a quick update on the planters and perennials!