Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Black Is Back!

I don't know if you have noticed but black is the new white in the garden.  I have said many times that I do not like black in my perennial border.

I have color in my border, lots of color when everything is blooming, but not black.  The closest to black is my brown mulch.

Rainbow Knockout

Geranium Max Frei
Beautiful blooms in the spring but blooms very sparingly throughout the summer.

Sport of Geranium Max Frei
It is looser and more sprawling but I let it be where it bloomed.

Well, I have given into a certain extent and have really gone over the top this year with black in my containers.

Dahlia Mystic Illusion is the star with Phantom Petunia, black Moneywart and Tip Top Aeonium

What is that orange gerber daisy doing in the black picture?

I don't know what came into my mind but I just started buying black plants and couldn't stop.

Coleus Sedona with Black Heart Sweet PotatoVine

Black Coral Elephant Ear

Coleus Merlin's Magic
This is a ruffled coleus, can't wait to see what it looks like as it grows larger.

Geranium Bob's Blunder
This is a dark one in the border but not considered black, more of a bronze, blooms all summer into fall.

As I said, I like color in my borders and Stoplight Heucherella really stands out.

Geranium Lancastriense Striatum
This is lovely when it blooms, short cycle, put it where you won't miss it.

Geranium Karmina
I brought this one from my last home, but again it is a short cycle bloomer, leaves turn red in the fall.

Geranium Magnificum
This one was also brought from my last home, did not bloom for many years and then I moved it to a sunnier location.  It is a short cycle bloomer.

Geranium Rozanne
This is a geranium that blooms all summer into fall, getting ready right now, no blooms yet!

Geranium Blue Sunrise
I love this geranium, blooms and weaves in a lighter manner continuously throughout the summer and fall, but lost one of them and no longer carried at the nursery where I purchased them.  This is not a good sign, usually signals a plant that is not always hardy in this area.


What would we do without color as we know it?

Carefree Beauty

Clematis Henryi
I had Miss Bateman on this same trellis but I don't see it this year, think Henryi has taken over.

I think this is General Sikorski, but it seems short for this variety?

Home Run Pink
This rose is a winner so far, growing very well in my garden, gave some of the red ones that I was trialing to my daughter.  I just do not have the room for eight more roses, kept a couple of reds and two pinks.

I have this mystery plant from my neighbor's garden, about three feet tall (laying down right now) with yellow daisy like flowers.  If you know what it is please let me know!


15 comments:

Beth said...

Hello Eileen, Your garden is looking great! You have fabulous containers - I do like the blacks you have chosen. Your clematis and your roses and geraniums are looking good too. I always enjoy my visits to Gatsbys Gardens, and today was no exception.
Blessings, Beth

Fishtail Cottage said...

Everything is just entirely so happy! Love seeing gardens this time of year -would love to have you link up to Fishtail Cottages Garden Party this week????? xoxo, tracie

BernieH said...

I just adore your blacks! That Aeonium is simply outstanding, and the Phantom Petunia is wonderful. Coleus Merlin Magic also caught my eye. Of course, I love all the other colour in your garden too. The Geraniums are definitely favourites of mine. How I wish I could grow those!

Diana LaMarre said...

I like the black in your containers. I have been all giddy over black foliage for quite a few years now.

Of cours, I also love the bright colors and you have some fine examples.

Hope you have a great gardening day, today.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Beth,

I just thought I would give black a try with annuals before I put anything permanent in my garden.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Tracie,

It is a great time of year when everything is so fresh.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie,

I have never heard of some of the plants we have available now, lots of tropicals. Of course we can only use them in our annual containers.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Zoey, I know you go way back with tropicals so you must be loving the choices available now.

Eileen

Mary Anne said...

Eileen, your garden is looking amazing. Everything is so green and so beautiful. I am following your lead after your coaching appointment a few weeks ago. I am loving it all, but always so much to do (and I love that part of gardening too!!) BTW, did you see my post on Sharing the Arch? The Clematis' are unbelievable. M.A.
Mary Anne

Unknown said...

Your container combos are just so beautiful...if that little ruffled coleus is the same as I purchased last year, it will not get much bigger....unless you pinch of course.

Jennifer said...

Eileen, I am really impressed with the black in your container plantings! I wouldn't have thought to do the same combinations, and now I am inspired.
Geraniums are great to have at this time of year aren't they. I add new ones each spring. Love the colors in the Stoplight Heucherella!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Mary Anne,

I did see your post on the beautiful clematis and the climbing hydrangea. They are both stunning examples of what to put on an arbor.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Darla,

I am not sure I am going to leave that little ruffled coleus where I put it, almost seems too dark and a little small.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jennifer,

I am just expeerimenting with the black. I like color too much to use it everywhere.

Eileen

Lona said...

Your blacks are pretty Eileen. I love the dahlia. Your garden is getting so many blooms now. I always love looking at your clematis vines. You have so many pretty ones. Have a wonderful weekend!