Flowers in containers

 I have planted several containers over the past two weeks, and have just a few more that I’ll be planting this week. Most of these are filled with mixed annuals, mixed both in type of flower and in color. I like mixed colors and textures, and these are combinations that are pleasing to me.

In the large containers on my patio, I planted several types of annuals again this year. In the two near the bench I mixed yellow marigolds, deep pink penta flowers, pink polka dot plants, a pretty green and yellow coleus, purple ageratum, and purple petunias and African Daisies. The red dianthus was planted in the container last year.

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I like the look of this three tiered planter, although I’m sure it will have to be watered often. I planted the top with deep purple lobelia, the middle tier with red vinca and white verbena, and the bottom with mixed color carnations.

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I’m using several coir-lined hanging baskets this year, and have mixed colors of Wave petunias along with marigolds. I especially like the deep purple and yellow combination.

      

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Near a bench in my front yard, I have two containers with simple combinations of purple ageratum and bright yellow marigolds. On my front porch, I have a container filled with red wave petunias and another with small French marigolds that I grew from seed this spring.

      

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 My cast iron pot beneath the ivy arbor is again planted with mixed color coleus this year. This is a partially shaded area and the coleus thrived here last year, so I’m hoping it will do well again this year and be even prettier, with the mixed colors.

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The container in my lamp post bed is planted with purple African Daisies, pinks from last year, purple and white dahlias, and orange marigolds. The stone planters at the entrance to my Secret Garden are planted with mixed color impatiens and begonias. This is a mostly shady area and I think these plants will thrive here.

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I bought even more flowers today, some very pretty pink and yellow petunias and some deep wine-colored vinca with white centers and a flat of other annuals including snapdragons, geraniums, and begonias, and I have quite a few containers left to plant, including several on a plant stand on the deck and two large containers near the pool. I enjoy having containers and being able to move them around if needed, although it is a lot of work to keep them all watered during our hot summers. Hopefully we won’t be as dry this year as during last year’s drought.

I like being able to go back and see the post and photos from last year, watching my containers fill in from week to week. I hope they do as well this year too. What about you? Do you use a lot of containers? What are some good combinations? Comments are welcome!