I must admit, I have always been greatly influenced by English gardens and gardeners. My lifelong goal has been for my gardens to have the “cottage” style look, and I’ve always felt I was born on the wrong side of the pond.
One thing I have noticed in the last few years is how many plants the English grow in pots. That is not to say that Americans don’t grow plants in pots, because we do, but there is a great difference.
Americans seem to use pots as accent plants or focal points on a porch or deck. But the English use them in masses and in their gardens, where I had never previously thought to put a pot. Not speaking for anyone else in America, but for me, I think the difference lies in the fact that our climates are so totally different. To have potted plants in America, requires constant maintenance in the form of watering, usually daily watering. The summers can be extremely hot here, often with little rain. And the winters are so cold and harsh, that all pots must be stored away to prevent cracking.
To this end, I have decided to use my stored away containers in the garden this summer, starting with this trio, sitting very neglected in the shed.
I’ve had these clay pots for years, but it’s been more than a few since they had any plants in them. I decided to start with a bright yellow ranunculus that I found at the grocery store. I have never grown them before, since for some reason I didn’t think they were compatible with out climate. We shall see how they do over time, but in the moment, they were too beautiful to resist.
Plus, they matched the beauty of all the daffodils and forsythia currently in bloom.
The middle size pot I planted with Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow.
I have lots of moss growing in my yard and grass, which I love to use in my potted containers, to not only make them look more natural, but also to help hold in moisture.
I have never grown Euphorbia before either, but it appealed to me because of it’s unique shape and form.
The last container was filled with a few herbs . . . parsley, oregano, and thyme.
And so, my first trio of potted plants in the garden . . . a little bit of color, texture, and edibles. And a sweet bunny that won’t be eating the plants and flowers.
Currently, they are sitting rather out in the open, but soon the comfrey beside them, and the hydrangea behind them will fill in around them and make them look right at home. In the meantime, while the center of attention, I’ll enjoy the textures of the clay pots and the plants they hold.
What a charming trio of pots! And that bunny is the icing on the cake. I hope they all will look natural and at home as things grow in. Happy Easter, Cindy!
Thank you kindly! I must admit, I purchased that little bunny to compliment the trio of pots. Sometimes I get a little carried away at the garden center with all the spring temptations they offer after a long cold winter. Spring seems especially brilliant this year and most welcome. Have a wonderful Easter!
That is a beautiful euphorbia! I think herbs are perfect for pots. My pots tend to get neglected in summer as I inevitably forget to water them, and in Kent too they need watering every day. The Mediterranean herbs are fine with my neglect. So I use pots for spring bulbs, and then only the most tolerant of plants for summer! I love your little bunny. Perfect for an Easter post!
I have a hard time taking care of pots over the summer. In the spring, I’m all enthusiastic and think I will keep on top of it. But by July, it’s so hot and humid, I don’t even want to go outside. I keep two rain barrels so that water is always close by and I don’t have to drag a hose around.
When I listen to Monty, he makes it sound like you rarely have to water, and that would be such a treat.
I have lots of pots Cindy! I love container gardening – rather an overblown way of describing planting up pots! But you can move them round, ring the changes, have plants of all shapes and sizes, and make the garden look different throughout the year. I live on the east coast of Scotland and we have pretty constant westerly winds, so my pots dry out quickly and need watering a lot too, but that’s fine! Time to see what’s going on in each one and fiddle about! Amanda
I do love the look of container gardening, but the upkeep is my problem. It is such a nice look to add them to the garden and I hadn’t thought that far ahead to think about moving them around. Last summer we had an unusual amount of rain, but normally it is very hot and humid, and that’s when I retreat inside and let the garden fend for itself. Pots can’t take care of themselves, but I’ll try harder this summer.
Lovely pots. I have pots full of things on the porch and in the garden too, and they are always in need of water it seems. It does seem like a good way to grow things like tulips, which around here just disappear from the garden beds due to squirrel theft, freezing temperatures or plain old neglect. Yours are lovely.
Maybe I could grow tulips in pots next year. The deer and rabbits have eaten almost all that I have. But maybe they would not touch them if they were in pots. You have given me a good idea!