Why, me of course! I decided I was sick of looking at the empty containers around the birdbath and decided the area needed a boost of color for the summer.
And because plants don't voluntarily leap into pots and bury themselves all nice and deep in delicious potting soil, I had to do it for them.
But first, a trip to the nursery. I headed out to Plants for All Seasons on Hwy 249, determined not to let their wonderful collection of fairy garden accessories waylay me again!
I made it home with several choices for my containers, in addition to a Hamelia patens I've been wanting to add to the island bed.
My plant list included Evolution salvias in blue and white, as well as a Victoria Blue and a Forest Fire salvia (red), and a red Penta, Confetti for a patriotic Red, White and Blue theme in the containers.
I also got some trailing purple lantana, purple Persian Shield, Little Lucky lantana "Lemon Creme", Little Luck Lantana "Hot Pink", along with a chartreuse sweet potato vine to go in the half barrel.
One thing in my favor, the patio is in shade for most of the day, and we have ceiling fans. But really, when it's 94+ degrees out there, with high humidity, it's still hot and sticky. I kept a towel nearby to mop my sweating brow and drank at least a gallon of ice tea.
When you see photos of Southern ladies showing off their lush gardens, how is it that they always look cool, calm and collected? Perhaps it's the Mint Juleps they always seem to be sipping -- maybe I should try those...
I'm always bright red in the face, hair plastered to my head with sweat. Not a pretty sight. I dread working out in the front garden in case a neighbor stops by for a chat. I do not look my best when I'm working in the garden!
Anyway, I got the containers planted and arranged them around the birdbath and I'm quite pleased with the effect. They should look lovely when they fill out.
I felt bad about ripping all of the Babylon White verbena out of the barrel, but it had been blooming constantly since last summer, kept going all winter and finally fizzled a month or so ago. I pulled off some of the greener parts with roots attached and stuck them in the ground in the raised bed and the rest went on the back of the brush pile.
I think the barrel will look nice with the mix of purples, yellows and greens and the lantana and sweet potato vine can trail as much as they want to in that location.
After planting, I gave everything a good water and left it to settle in.
Unfortunately, as often happens when I exert myself outside in the heat, I ended up with a raging headache and spent the rest of the day lying on the bed with the ceiling fan blowing on me, trying to feel human again.
I can't wait till fall gets here!! Roll on fall!
Words and photographs by Jayne Wilson, Green and Serene, Jayne's Country Garden.
