Week 11 - Year 1: The Supplemental Draft

While I'm very proud of the success I've had with my first gardening attempt, it's time to face the music and admit that not everyone made it. I was forced to run a "Supplemental" draft last week to replace some of the plants that did not survive my rookie season.

RIP

A quick moment of silence for the ones that did not make it ... pictures omitted, as the sight was too unfortunate to photograph.

Violets

Osteopermum

Purple pansies (yes, all of them - wilted in the hot sun, yellow ones are still fine though!)

The Replacements

I could not resist filling out the holes that were left by my failed attempts. Hopefully, these new guys will fare better than their predecessors.

Calibrachoa - why mess with success? I figure the coral ones are still doing well, so why not try another color? This purple variety replaced the violets, which did not make it after looking like they got mauled by a bird one day.

Sampaguita - AKA, Arabian Jasmine. We originally got this plant for my in-laws, but we've ended up keeping it around as a replacement for the osteopermum. This flowering plant is popular in the Philippines and supposedly has a very nice smell once it blooms.

Life Support?

Finally, let's keep our fingers crossed for these guys, who may be in a code blue situation. Again, pictures omitted out of respect for the patients' privacy.

Kalanchoe

African Violets

Lobelia hanger

Week 3 - Year 1: The Experiment Begins

I graduated from law school a couple of weeks ago and immediately needed a hobby to fill the hours I suddenly got back. I've always wanted to garden and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to start a container garden on the deck of our apartment. I have no idea what I'm doing, but three weeks in and everything is still alive, so I thought I would share the progress of my garden over the summer. I'm sure hilarity will ensue, but so far, I'm pretty proud of the progress I've made, for a novice.

Here is the line up, as of Week 3:

Window Box #1:

1. Blue Wave Petunia

2. Blue Angel Pansies

3. Silver Wave Petunia

Window Box #2:

1. Sun Kiss Bidens

2. Fama Golden Yellow Pansy

3. Coral Calibrachoa

Window Box #3:

(from left to right)

1. Lara Dark Blue Nierembergia

2. Pansies (White with Purple Blotch)

3. Hot Blue Lobelia

Containers

Right Side

I placed three containers on the right side of the porch. From left to right:

1. Yellow Kalanchoe

2. Pink Cupido Roses

3. Blue Browallia

Left Side

From Left to Right:

1. Deep Blue Champanula

2. Jade Shamrock

3. A spruce tree - yes, a tree. Instead of the traditional flowers, my husband brought this little guy home with him one day. We call him Snowpoke.

Center

Along the center, I have a mix of climbers and sun happy containers. You can't see them up close very well in this picture, but I plan to give more close ups later. From left to right:

1. Cardinal Wyszynski Clematis

2. Blue Summer Snapdragon

3. Viticella Venosa Violacea Clematis

4. Purple Osteospermum

5. Lemon Star Black Eyed Susan Vine

Back Wall Containers/Hangers

1. Coral Mini Begonias

These coral mini begonias are planted in a cheerful yellow pot on the mini table between our deck chairs.

Hanger #1:

Includes a mix of:

- Dark Dancer White Clovers

- Sweet Potato Vine

- Coleus

Hanger #2:

Includes a mix of white, blue and light blue lobelia

That's all for now folks! More to follow.