Out of the Box

_{Click for larger image.... (See that sticker?  Bonded to the pot.  I need a razor blade to get it off, and I just haven't mustered the energy to attack it)}

Deborah Silver, of Dirt Simple, comments on formulas and breaking free of them. When you get comfortable with plants, thinking out of the box is fun. But formulas are useful for those starting out. The 'formula' for potted arrangements: A Thriller, a Spiller, and a Filler.

I’ve a three pot combo on my patio, it uses the formula, but breaks it into two or three plants in each pot, the thriller and spiller relating to each other across the boundaries. The whole thing is an experiment with the local climate. I’ve been horrible homesick for the lush container plantings of the midwest and am trialing these plants for hardiness and appearance. Most of them are new to me. (Save the pentas. Pentas are perennials down here, they just need to be protected during the handful of days we get to freezing temps. I love the pentas.)

 

Note that the above picture was taken at night.  That's so you don't see my mangy lawn and filthy bird bath-now-tray feeder!

 

Full disclosure: the next photos were taken with a black paper held behind the plant, and then I adjusted the black using image/adjust/curves in Photoshop. 

Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) and summer snapdragon (Angelonia angustifolia)  Also in this pot, not shown (?) (the red trumpet flower)

 

Penta and Dicondra argentea

 

Euphorbia  Diamond Frost

 

Okay, here's what it looks like without all the drama, in the light of a Phoenix morning, with dog:

The euphorbia and penta play very nice together. 

Comments

[Mo]

I love these Jenn! Will be interested to see how they handle the heat.