Summer looks to be busy. So, I told Dan I’m not going to plant as much as last year. That was the plan. But after a trip to the local plant stand and $54 later, I’m not sure I stuck to my plan. Below I’ve documented how my plan rolled out, and I’ve left some spots for a later update.
Porch Planters
These are the two pots on our front porch. Here I planted “Wave” – a variety of petunias. I meant to purchase a cream and a dark violet for each pot, but when I got home I was one dark violet short. But, in one planter, there were sprouts which I believe are the petunias from last year. So, we will see if nature corrects my mistake.
Also, one planter, as evidenced last year by standing water and the condition of the its plants, needed more drainage holes. I looked on the bottom of the planter and – wa laa! – poked in the holes.
Several years back, I attended a session put on by a “Master Gardener”, and I learned petunias need to be pruned, so they do not get spindly. I know I need to do that soon. It’s just hard.
Coming Summer 20201
Coming Summer
2021
Sponge Rock Planter
This planter was made by my great-grandfather and is a coveted showpiece of mine. This year, I planted a new variety of impatiens in it. This variety of impatiens, “Sun Patiens”, is supposed to “flourish in sun & shade.” The sponge rock planter gets full morning sun, so we will see how if these plants live up to the claim on the tag.
Coming Summer
2021
Welcome Sign
This was a gift a few years back. It needs repainting, including the oval “Welcome” sign – which could be tricky. However, I am hoping I can squeak by for another year, especially once the coleus take off. I have always had really good luck with coleus. Come on, Coleus, I’m countin’ on ya!
Coming Summer
2021
Purple Coneflower
I also have “Purple Coneflower” which is a perennial, a Missouri native flower, and a personal favorite. My daughter, Talia and I, planted these a couple years back. Let’s see how they do this year.
Coming Summer
2021
One to Watch
This little cactus, lamb’s ear, was given to my mom on Mother’s Day. I don’t know who gave it to her; it just showed up in her apartment. It’s pretty little, but I’ve always rooted for the underdog – or lamb in this case.
Coming
Summer
2021
Do you have any garden plans this summer?
Chambers on the Road 
Hi Betty, your plants are beautiful! I, too, am always experimenting with flowers that will do well in my yard and pots. I have yet to be successful with Wave petunias, so I am curious to see what yours look like in a couple of months. In regards to Sunpatiens, I have been planting them for years and I have found they do the best in full sun. These sunpatiens also get “leggy” or spindly, as you say, and can be cut down. They will continue to grow and flower and be more full.
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Hi Barb! Thank you. I have had good luck with petunias, but I don’t remember having the Wave brand. I haven’t seen the Sunpatiens before, but we did go to a new place this year for our plants. Right now, the sunpatiens are not leggy, but I will keep an eye on them. Good luck with your flowers this year!
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When we still lived in our house, we were on a corner lot. The back yard was bordered by perennial beds, and I always planted many pots of annuals for the steps and the decks. Since we retired and moved to our condo, I’ve shied away from outdoor plants of any kind because we’re away for so much of the summer and once we leave, we’re not back for 6-8 weeks. Your plants look lovely and healthy, Betty!
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Thank you. We take several trips during camping season, but the most we are gone is 18 days. So, in the past, the plants have done okay while we’re gone. A neighbor told me about wicking pots. They are expensive to buy, and there are limited selections. Perhaps some year, I will be ambitious and try making some. An extended trip sounds great, and I hope yours will be awesome. Enjoy your day!
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Love the color of your pots and house! Clever!
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Thanks! Yes, our house is celery green. I love the color., and we just happened to find matching pots several years back. All these annuals though have me thinking about perennials. Enjoy your day!
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Perennials are wonderful and exciting to see coming each spring. That said, despite that one would think the opposite, they need lots of care. I spent hours in my perennial beds every summer.
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Hmm. Maybe I will rethink that! We do have a small yard, so whatever I do will be limited. The purple cone flowers are perennial. I do like working in the garden though.
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We gave up on our gardening aspirations when we started traveling. Grammi was given a small hibiscus from her aunt this passed Mother’s Day. That’s the extent of our garden. It rides in the sink on travel days and takes of space on the counter top the rest of the time. If it lives through the summer we will plant it next to the house when we get back home. I hope your flowers do well and that you have someone to take care of them when you’re off traveling.
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Thanks! Good luck with the hibiscus. I hope these flowers do well, too! Since we are located between three rivers, our soil is very rich. So, that helps, but we’ll see how things work out. Safe travels!
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Good luck with your plantings! We’re trying a couple of new things in one of our beds this year. The heat here in Georgia can be hard on plants so we’ll just have to see how it goes.
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Good luck with your plantings, too! I always some some successes and some not so much. And I do like to try something new each year, too. Have a great week!
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It take a little bit of work every summer and each day with our garden.
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Doing a little each day helps keep it from becoming overwhelming. I also like taking care of the flowers in the morning. Enjoy your day!
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Well, you know from my pics how big our garden is!
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I love the wave petunia and have several pots planted on my back patio and front porch. Last year we planted a lot of coneflowers and they are coming up – just can’t wait until they bloom.
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Good luck with your flowers! I really love the cone flowers. They do well in Missouri. I love it when they bloom, too!
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I’m so glad you love plants and all your plants are so beautiful. Me, I look at a plant and it dies within 30 seconds! In fact when we get home we’re going to put river rock in all the planters in front of our house and then found all kinds of garden decorations to put there in place of plants. Continued good luck and may all you plant bloom in majestic splendor at the appropriate time.
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Thank you! River rock is pretty; we have it on the side of our home. And I do like garden decorations. Will there be turtles? I look forward to seeing some pictures of what you do on a future post. I appreciate your good wishes. Safe travels!
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I love the welcome sign planter. I bet it is so nice to see that walking up.
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It was a Mother’s Day gift from my son a few years back. I really like it. Have a good day!
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You are definitely off to a great start and I do love the little plants that have just popped up for you to enjoy! My grandmother referred to these as “coming up volunteer”! Most of our garden centers are having limited stock right now, the winter freeze has affected their supply. But that hasn’t kept us from flocking to visit them!
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I like that – “coming up volunteer!” Flowers really pretty up the neighborhood and a home, too. It sounds like you are planting too, so good luck with your garden!
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Hi great readinng your post
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Thank you.
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