I just couldn’t resist it! I wanted flowers like I would have in Ireland – I used to keep containers on the window sills of my apartment there – the closest thing I had to a garden for a while back then.
As my front yard turns to desert where I’m not watering the lawn and the ivy is gone, and the blossoms from my sweet pea crisp up and fade in the large container I had for them in the back yard, I decided that it was time for some bedding plants.
What better time to showcase them than for June’s Bloom day.
I planted the pot in the back yard with a combination of lilies, petunias and lobelia – going for a red, white and blue theme that would be good for 4th July (and 12th July too! Sure, we might as well keep everyone happy…)
I do think that the thrillers could be a little less thrilling and the spillers a bit more spilling, but I think I achieved a better balance in my next creation.
The birdbath is cracked and won’t hold water. This means it drains well as a pot, so I planted this one up in orange and white in honor of my hometown of Armagh . We call this arrangement “The Sam Maguire”!
When buying the plants, I have to say that my eyes were bigger than my pots. I had loads of petunias left over. Fortunately, I found room in the pot at the front of the house for the other plants.
It is a year since we bought our house and to celebrate our neighbors, Karla and Al, bought us a gorgeous ceramic pot for the garden.
Unable to decide between jasmine and potato vine, we bought one of each and are taking bets as to which one will win the race to the top of the trellis and eventually smother the other one out.
It felt totally decedent to be buying plants without thinking “Can I eat these?” or “Are they native?” and have rationalized it by having them in pots which means I can control them better. Next year I’ve vowed to grow the annuals from seed. Well, by then I’ll be an expert in vegetables and the native garden in front will be practically growing itself – wouldn’t do to go getting bored now, would it?
Good job I got them too. Nothing else is blooming now in the garden. It’s coming into summer and Californian plants are getting set to take a snooze!
Happy Bloom Day!
Byddi Lee
I love all of your pics, but you also have a really awesome blog, in general! I'm bookmarking it!
Love your Sam Maguire pot very colorful!
@ talesfromagarden – It may be the closest Armagh gets to Sammy this year!
@ Katie – Thank you – I had a quick look at your site and the feeling the mutual! Nice to e-meet you 🙂
I think you are making a valient effort. I loved the arrangement in the birdbath. Very clever.
Cheers! I'm constantly on the lookout now for unusual planters for the garden…
Those lilies are beautiful.
Good for you going organic and native. It's actually easier and cheaper in the long run and better for everyone.
Sadly, those beauties are losing their petals fast! It's a tad hot for them…
I love the orange and white flowers in the birdbath. I planted coral impatiens in my broken birdbath. And you have super neighbors – wish mine would give me something for my garden -lol.
I am blessed with fantastic neighbors! 🙂
Ha, cute! Sometimes you know you need to eat a salad, but your body's telling you candy bar. Good for you for going for the candy bar!