Monday, September 13, 2010

Fall Is Just Around the Corner

This is a fall grouping by my garden shed, mums in baskets, faux pumpkins, faux Reggie, Vera Jameson, Bronze Sedge, Rudbeckia (peeking out) cabbage, superbells, pansies, curly willow all with a background of still blooming summer perennials.

The concrete urns on each side of the garage are planted with deep colored cabbages, Vera Jameson Sedum, Bronze Lights Swiss Chard, rudbeckia, purple pansy, faux grass which has been separated out to give a more natural look, and marine varnished faux pumpkin on florist stake.  I used to use real pie pumpkins but the squirrels climbed up on my container and made a big mess.

I have tried to use my summer plantings whenever possible.  I  left the Creeping Jenny and the Profusion Orange Zinnias and added some violas and Coffee Twist grass.


I used smaller different colored cabbages along with a red swiss chard with orange and blue pansies.  The pansies are small this year so I hope they grow fast so we can see them.


I kept the cordyline from the summer as a backdrop and added peacock cabbage to the brown ceramic planters.

The cast iron containers are out in front with a very tall blue green grass from the summer plantings.  It looks very nice with the blue-green cabbages and frosty looking sedge.


Becky Rudbeckia is an annual in my area but I have had luck with Prairie Sun up in Wisconsin coming back three years in a row.




Fall begins next week, so I will be adding some gourds and small pumpkins  to the containers.  Halloween is a big holiday around here, so I will get to put out some big pumpkins and spooky things! 

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Eileen, You have very clearly put in a great deal of time and thought to produce these very splendid containers and arrangements. This is autumn with a difference brought about through a highly imaginative and creative mind.

allanbecker-gardenguru said...

This is the first time in a long while that I have had an opportunity to linger at your blog to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Clearly, fall has a different feeling in your gardening zone. Here in Montreal, its all about a sad,impending hibernation, while your garden appears to be entering its second or perhaps its third life.

I noticed the New Mexican fountain when you first posted its image and was pulled into the photo by its intricate design. I went back for a second look today, because I am a fan of intricate design, and noticed that the shot was set up so that the blue in the fountain design echoed the blue of pond ornaments. That makes for a powerful photo that I think is worth entering into one of the many contest run by Gardening Gone Wild.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Allan,

I thought you and I were in the same zone (5). When I was a young gardener, gardening ended in September or October but now it goes on all year with the winter boughs and red ribbons coming out at the end of November.

The photos with the mexican fountain and the ornaments around the pond belong to my brother's garden. My sister-in-law is a great collector and will love that you like her combination of color connections.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Edith, I do enjoy doing containers but am not as into floral arrangements for indoors. I must get better at this as I am manytimes content to just prune and plunk the flowers into a vase. For some reason, once they are cut, I don't see them as viable growing plants like in outdoor containers. Thanks so much for your compliments.

Eileen

joey said...

Your fall containers are stunning, Eileen, the colored cabbages/swiss chard/pansies especially creative. You put me to shame. Mine are summer pitiful!

Balisha said...

What a wonderful time I've had...looking at your wonderful containers. Balisha

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Joey, but I just couldn't stand all of my browning annuals anymore, so I went fall.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Balisha, I have had fun doing fall, gardening doesn't seem to end anymore.

Eileen

Jenny said...

I wonder what zone I'm in, The Netherlands? We are packing in the garden now and getting ready for a long cold winter. Wish there were something I could plant, maybe those cabbage would make it up here. Pansies might work, too, winter ones. Fall is depressing to me here because I come from Texas. We have a huge splash of color in the summer months then it is gone. Your blog is giving me some ideas and hope.
Thanks, Jenny

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Eileen girl !!
I'm sitting here in the dark of early morning raving to myself and the "girls" kitties about how gorgeous your planters are !!! .. what can I say ? I have not seen that cabbage before .. that is amazing !I love the use of faux material along with the natural plants it is perfect and will prolong that gorgeous look for ages!
Can you come over here and help me please ?? LOL
That was a simply beautiful Autumn post and I know you are not done yet girl ! wink wink
Joy : )

Diana LaMarre said...

They are all just beautiful, Eileen! I really like the simplicity of the cordyline and peacock cabbage. What a great combo for the brown ceramic planter.

garden girl said...

LOVE your fall planters Eileen!!!

I haven't ever really done fall-themed planters at home, and have clients this year I expect to be doing them for. I'll be referring back to this post soon! (I'm still waiting for my favorite garden center to get their fall stuff in. :|)

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jenny, if you do not get below freezing, you can plant many things for the fall, pansies, cordyline, cabbages, chard, Diamond Frost Euphorbia, etc. There are many cold tolerant plants but I can't keep them going past our frost date because in zone 5, we go way below zero.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Joy, I am really enjoying your Halloween cards and decorations. I havve to restrain myself, too many pumpkins already!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Zoey, the cordyline is very small when I buy it in the spring and it seems to do well in the heat. It is also cold tolerant, who could ask for more!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Garden Girl,

Years ago all I did was put out the pumpkins, some stalks and indian corn - squirrels ate it all! Now, the whole village I live in is totally decked out for Halloween. I don"t do the pumpkin lights, but I really enjoy changing out the containers.

Eileen

Lona said...

Oh Eileen, your containers look so fabulous. I love the cabbages and pansies.Well I like them all in fact. LOL! Your containers are ready for fall now.

Unknown said...

Eileen your arrangements are absolutely stunning. My jaw is still hanging open. I love the (did I get it right sedge?) grass hanging out of the planter. That is just too cool! I'm just a lovin' it all! You really know how to make a container pop!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what lovely arrangements...my favorite is the third photo...with the creeping jenny. Maybe I want to hang onto summer just a little while longer...?
Ronelle

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks for visiting Ronelle, i had four years of french in school (not that I remember much of it now) but I am enjoying your french cooking and countryside.

Eileen