JULY 4TH COMETH. ARE YOU READY?

By BRENDA BEUST SMITH

Know anyone who actually in-garden-plants ahead for July 4 blooms? I'd love to talk them for next year's column.

Probably this wasn't the best year to have tried. Recent floods/storms would probably have ruined or delayed bloom production.

Easier and faster to create are red/white/blue container plantings using whatever's in bloom at the nursery. Pack plants in tightly for more impact. Afterwards these can be moved into the garden for more spreading room. Above are some July 4 celebration container planting created by Cornelius Nursery.

A few general tips that might help:

* Check available containers and potential positions to determine what needs to be bought.

* Safety is Rule #1. No easily tipped-over heavy pots around children or overly enthusiastic guests. Weights in bottoms might help.

* Dark colored pots absorb summer sun, heating soil. Light colors reflect heat.

* If plantings in pot will be permanent, plan for future spread. Fill in between plants with live flowers at the last minute. This helps too if you can't find the right reds, whites & blues in actual blooming plants.

* Drainage holes are a MUST in this area. Saucers are a good idea too, but set the pot itself on secure but slightly elevated risers, to ensure air flow under the pot. This keeps water from collecting and rotting lower roots.

* Light-weight soil mixtures are best, especially those with water-soluble polymers that either come separately or mixed in with the soil. These will hold water in a format roots can access without robbing the soil of oxygen (which can happen when you overwater during the hot dry summer). If you can't find the polymers, get a small package of baby diapers. Cut them into small squares and mix these in the soil. Same thing.

Now it's time to go plant shopping. One trick professionals use is illustrated in the Cornelius container at top. Look for 3 different growth patterns: 1. upright (for the center), 2. midsize bloomers (to encircle the upright plant) and 3. vining growth to plant around the outer edges.

That's just a route, as the other two photos illustrate. It's your container, do what you like! A flag or two inserted in the arrangement will definitely make a statement.  

* Brenda's "LAZY GARDENER'S GUIDE" - a when-to-do-what in Greater Houston area gardens - is now available on CD only (pdf file). $20. Checks payable to Brenda B. Smith and mailed to: Lazy Gardener's Guide on CD, 14011 Greenranch Dr., Houston, TX 77039-2103. For a free page of this month's TO-DO list, email Brenda at lazy gardener@sbcglobal.net

 

Some thoughts on container-size colors:

White: blackfoot daisy, gaura

Reds: dwarf canna, cockscomb (Celosia),

Reds and whites: geraniums, gerberas, pentas, petunias, salvias, sedums, red shrimps, snapdragons, vinca, zinnias

Blues (these are the hardest. If you find some you like, grab them!): anise, blue daze, bluebells, lily of the nile, pin cushion, rosemary, blue salvias, torenia

Remember too: very small forced-blooming versions of shrubs with the right color flowers will work for a short period in a container. These can always be transplanted into gardens after the holiday for more spreading room. Typical of those on which you might find forced flowers: white gardenias, hydrangeas, blue passion vine, Red Rocket russelia, plumbago, blue thunbergia vines.

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READERS REPORT IN . . . 

 

 

GREAT SHOTS FROM READERS:

* PATTY SENDELBACH'S DAZZLE LILY GARDENS in the Champions area are some of the most spectacular I've ever seen. Hers, and Mercer Botanic Garden's plantings are proof of how well these relatively new-to-us bulbs do here. Dazzles are a L.A. Hybrid, an exciting relatively new cross between Asiatic and Longiflorum lilies. More on 'Dazzle' LA Hybrids

* JERRY'S JUNGLE GARDENS.  Speaking of incredibly gorgeous plants, one of my most favorite people in the whole world is liquidating his spectacular collection of tropicals.  I can't begin to tell you how many plants we now take for granted that were first introduced to us by Jerry through his incredible "jungle" (literally!) in the Aldine area (North Harris County). The first of a number of sales will be Sat., June 27, 9am-4pm, 712  Hill  Rd. (832-431-7599). Limited parking so get there early.  Bring your own wagon. Just a few of the plants Jerry will have available: gingers, dombeya, cordyline, amaryllis, pachypodium, palms, philodendrons, clerodendrums, succulents, cacti, cycads, euphorbias, and crinums.

* MINIATURE GARDENS are quite the vogue these days and more nurseries are carrying tiny plants. Left is a creation by Becky Stockrob and, at center, one created by Melanie Wiggins. I love the way tips on these gardens always start out: Use tiny plants. Well, duh!

If you have any other suggestion for folks who would like to try these, do share!

Most nurseries carry tiny plants now. Look for very small leaves. The bigger the leaves, the bigger the plants are likely to grow. But tiny leaves don't always mean small plants, so ask before you buy.

The only other important point: make sure your dish, pot, etc., has a drain hole. Don't want roots standing in water.