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Wednesday, December 1, 2021

NEW PLACE TO PLANT

Recently, we cleaned up these large clay pots we brought from the house in town a few years ago. 


The size is deceiving with no frame of reference but they are pretty large.  They have been in front of the cleaned up area around the workshop so now we have two spots to plant something exciting.  Since they are in front of big blank spaces on the front of the building, something tall(ish) and dramatic would be nice.  

Now before everyone mentions the citrus trees in containers, we're going to do that but those will be near the other fruit trees behind the house so we can protect them in the Winters.  These would be exposed all year, full sun.  We decided we'd like something flowering or at least colorful, with some height.

 Bougainvillea on a trellis would be pretty but we have too many things out there with thorns already, ha.

  Hibiscus could be fun, we know they are freeze sensitive but they are also ubiquitous here and are available all the time at any garden center and very inexpensive.  They are pretty for sure.

We probably would want to stay away from something climbing so it doesn't stick onto the siding or grow in between boards or cause other issues like that on the building.

Ornamental grass maybe?

Topiary of some sort?

 Of course, we're just planning now, it's not the time of year to actually plant, but we would like to be ready to grab some plants in a few months when the garden centers start stocking up.  

Any suggestions?

37 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I don't know why we didn't think of that. Good one. Thank you.

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  2. How about planting a small size type of evergreen tree. They will stay green all winter long and be low maintenance except for the watering & a bit of pruning of course.
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/FLOWERWOOD-2-5-Gal-Compacta-Japanese-Holly-Ilex-Evergreen-Shrub-Pyramid-Shaped-3100PYR3/205728153?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=Shopping-B-F_D28O-G-D28O-028_008_LIVE_GOODS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-SMART_SHP&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D28O-G-D28O-028_008_LIVE_GOODS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-SMART_SHP-71700000064169154-58700005694172116-92700066219384996&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI06PR2IzD9AIVTBXUAR0rTgvVEAQYBCABEgIeiPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

    Best evergreens for containers. https://blog.davey.com/2021/02/can-you-grow-evergreens-in-a-container/

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    Replies
    1. Just think; then at Christmas time you could put on some small Christmas lights. :}

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    2. Now we DO like the idea of Christmas lights, ha. Or heck, anytime of year some white lights would be pretty. Thanks for the links, will check them out.

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  3. I agree an evergreen against the red would be nice, but also like the idea of putting in a good sized trellis with a bright color climbing rose.

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    Replies
    1. An evergreen with the red would be very pretty. Climbing roses, good idea too!

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  4. I would probably opt for a yellow hibiscus in at least one of the pots because I think they are just gorgeous.

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    Replies
    1. Hibiscus are so pretty and in my mind I was thinking red, purple, orange etc but dang, yellow would be stunning against the red.

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    2. if you decide on Hibiscus; make sure it's a Hardy hibiscus and Not Tropical Hibiscus. The Hardy hibiscus will come up every year to where the tropical will not.
      I always had better luck planting a hardy hibiscus right in the ground rather than containers.
      A hibiscus can get at least 3 feet wide and up to 6 feet tall.

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  5. Neighbors have knockout roses planted in containers in front of their house. Knockout roses are everywhere around here. Now, I want pots of them.

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    Replies
    1. Knockour roses are so popular down here too. We always forget about them. They plant them here in all the parking lots and esplanades around town because they are easy to care for. Will have to remember that and add to the list, ha.

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  6. This comment was emailed to us by Susan, the commenting box was not cooperating but we wanted to make sure her comment was shown so it helps others who might stumble across this post, ha:

    "...Mandevilla likes sun and hot weather, no thorns, and a simple tripod trellis for support. A tender perennial, it flowers until frost. Not drought tolerant, so if watering anything in that location is going to be chore, may have to rethink that.

    ...Always enjoy reading your blog - thanks!

    Susan"

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Susan, your email was very kind as well. Mandevilla! Great choice too! Thank you for that suggestion.

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    2. Mandevilla always have to have roots protected by some sort of shade, another plant maybe. Here in the South, they thrive and come back the next year if mulched.

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    3. Cool, good to know about the roots. I guess like you said, some good mulch would work. Thanks!

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  7. Oleander? Loves sun, pretty drought tolerant, beautiful smelling flowers. Poisonous leaves and branches if someone decides to lick them, though. You have to warn people about that.

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    Replies
    1. Oleander!! Good choice and they are tall and flowering. We do remember hearing that about them. I think livestock too have to be careful. We probably won't have anything other than chickens but will keep that on the list. Thanks!

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  8. How about bottlebrush? There are regular size ones that you can trim and there is a dwarf variety that gets about 4 feet high. They are evergreen and their red blooms are not only beautiful but they attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

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    Replies
    1. Oh bottlebrush! Big and cool flowers. I think they do well in containers. We like to attract the hummers and butterflies. Thank you!

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  9. We live in Ohio where it gets pretty cold and we have hibiscus that come back from being planted right in the ground . They have been here years and just keep coming back. Maybe they are a cold hardy breed of them or something.

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    Replies
    1. Hmm, here they always seem to die and our winters are WAY less harsh that yours, ha. Maybe there is a cold hard variety we'll check that out. Thanks!!

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  10. I cannot find your address and cannot use thee email on your blog. I have searched your blog for a recipe--chicken and apricot or fig jelly/jam ad dry soup mix. I searched recipes here, too. Help! Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Hmm, well first of all sorry about the email not working, I just had a coworker try and it worked maybe it was just a glitch. Secondly, hmm, was that a recipe that you thought we had or are you just trying to find one. I don't remember cooking something like that but I can ask 2nd Man tomorrow (when. he's awake, ha) and see if he knows. I'll look back through and see because nothing is coming to my mind.

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    2. I think I found it but it's not chicken, it was brisket in the slow cooker.

      https://twomenandalittlefarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/sweet-and-savory-brisket-slow-cooker.html

      It's the only thing I could find that had the combo of onion soup mix and jelly/jam.

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    3. Thanks. No wonder I could not find it as I looked for chicken recipes.

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    4. Well I'm sure there is some chicken out there made with onion soup mix. In fact, I think I remember a recipe I tried once that was like a "three ingredient" thing or something, chicken covered with a onion soup mix and apricot jam.

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  11. Replies
    1. Well now there some thinking outside the box. Thanks!!

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    2. Could be living Christmas trees? You may have to repot every few years though.

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    3. We've kind of always wanted to grow our own trees to use at Christmas and we love the idea of the living trees.

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  12. couple of dwarf Holly Berry trees or shrub. The birds will go after the red berries.
    Me, I love the Holly Berry Trees; actually anything that stays green year long is a plus.

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    Replies
    1. Holly Berry trees, I'll have to look that up. Yes, green year round is not a bad thing.

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  13. Lemongrass... It's edible and also repels mosquitoes and gorgeous

    Kathryn Louise
    I'm not signed into google

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's ok, we allow anonymous comments too, no worries. Lemongrass is a GREAT suggestions. We have been wanting to grow some but weren't sure about our clay soil. They would do well in the pots. Thanks for this!!

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  14. Replies
    1. Oooh, that's a good idea too! Edible and can get big and stays green all year. Thanks!

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