Here are some photos taken over the last few weeks of my lamp post flower bed in the front yard. This is a narrow bed that runs alongside the front sidewalk. I usually always plant annuals in this bed, but this year I also added some of the new Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ plants I grew from seed. I also planted purple Angelonia and Celosia ‘Fresh Look’ Red (both grown from seed), and a few Sunpatiens. (click photos to enlarge)
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I love these new coneflowers so much!
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Sunpatiens, Angelonia, Celosia
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Wow, look at that celosia against the spectacular variegation of the Sunpatiens. You KNOW I love my variegated Sunpatiens! :-) Mine survived being buried in the back of my rented greenhouse space all winter, but it took 1/2 the summer for the variegation to come back and they didn’t grow as vigorously. We had an unusually hot July. I watered regularly and they never ever wilted even once in full sun against my sunblasted patio on the south side of the house. Might want to note that it might just be best to buy new every year. Something to think about!
Jim,
Yes, I guess it’s better to just buy them every year. I had thought about maybe trying to take some cuttings and save some through the year, but it’s just too much trouble and especially now that I know it takes them so long to get started again.
I love that celosia — think I’ll try the orange too next year. :)
Lovely color in the coneflowers! I also like your celosia. I don’t notice many gardeners growing celosia. I like celosia, and it was one of the few flowers that would survive all summer in the 110 degree Arizona heat when we lived there.
Thanks, Lana. You’re right, I don’t think as many people grow Celosia as they’re used to be. It does seem to thrive in the heat. Definitely something I’ll grow more of.
(By the way, I’ve tried to comment at your blog a few times lately and keep getting an “error” message. I’ll keep trying. :))
Sherry, is that a “named” celosia or just a general red? And I feel sure you grew it from seed, like you do so many of your annuals? Or did you buy a flat of them. I have to take notes, remember where I keep them, and then refer to them in spring when I am looking to get things started. I actually did manage to buy and grow a couple coleus that are now getting really big, filling in an area where I lost a shrub from last winter. So I KNOW I can grow annuals. LOL So red celosia and white variegated sunpatiens. And I know EXACTLY where they will go next year.
Hi Jim,
Yes, I did grow the Celosia from seed, they’re called “Fresh Look Red”, and they also come in yellow, orange, and gold. I’m going to try the orange next year. Here’s where I bought the seeds for the red:
http://parkseed.com/celosia-fresh-look-red/p/00480-PK-P1/
Oh, the white sunpatiens and red celosia sounds like a great combination! That will look good. I also think purple angelonia would look good with the “Fresh Look Orange” celosia.. or the yellow.. so many possibilities. :)
Coleus is another good annual that I always try to have in my garden. I always buy a few, but grow a lot from seeds every year. I’ve tried the Versa series this year and they get huge in containers!
Here we are already planning next year’s garden.. lol
stunning!
Hi Raji :)