A touch of formality is not out of place in most gardens, and precisely trimmed cones and spheres of foliage — classic forms of topiary — are especially suited to containers. All that’s required is a beautiful container, a plant amenable to frequent pruning and patience. There are myriad ways to incorporate a potted topiary into your landscape. Try an elegant container with … [Read more...] about How to make an elegant topiary
coleus
Perfect container plants
Trying a few new plants for mixed containers is something I look forward to every year. But when I’m at the nursery, I also consult my list of favourites — the ones that never let me down, look good all season and don’t use up my whole plant budget. These are my insurance plants in case the new ones don’t live up to their billing or just don’t work out. Most on my list have … [Read more...] about Perfect container plants
6 container plants looking good in the heat
Every year about this time, I take a close look at the plants in the pots, containers and hanging baskets in our garden to see what’s doing well, what’s flagging and what’s ho-hum. There are favourites I include every year, but I always trial a few new varieties, some of which are new to the market or older varieties I’ve never tried before. It’s important that container … [Read more...] about 6 container plants looking good in the heat
Summer-to-winter coleus
I became acquainted with coleus at an early age; it grew year-round in pots in my grandmother’s kitchen. My favourite is an old standby, ‘Wizard Jade’, with creamy white centres and bright green banding on curly leaves with serrated edges. The Wizard Series of coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) grows about 18 inches (45 cm) tall, and its bright, beautiful leaves fill in … [Read more...] about Summer-to-winter coleus
