I recently went plant shopping for my outdoor summer pots and, as always, I was dazzled and daunted by the array of choices.
Browsing the aisles, I was tempted by virtually everything I saw. How to choose from so many gorgeous flowers and stunning color combinations?
When I made my first efforts at window boxes a long time ago, I bought impulsively, choosing plants solely for their flowers. I ended up with an array of eye-catching blossoms that lasted only a few weeks. After that my boxes had nothing but garden-variety green foliage with no visual interest. To make matters worse, I didn’t know about cutting back plants after flowering to bring on another flush of blossoms. The result was not pretty: leggy, straggling foliage with perhaps a late, feeble end-of-summer flowering.
Over the years I’ve become a bit more disciplined in my shopping habits. I still gravitate toward flowers; I can’t resist peachy verbena, pink petunias, blue lobelia or lavender browallia. But I pay more attention to shape and foliage. I don’t know if the array of distinctive foliage plants has expanded or if I’m just more tuned in to their appeal in container planting. But I was struck this year by the possibilities of foliage.
For a long time I resisted coleus. Their garish, magenta-streaked green leaves reminded me of my first piano teacher, an old lady who painted her lips with bright red lipstick that often ended up on her teeth. I didn’t like the name; it sounded like a worrisome skin condition. But a few years ago, searching for plants for a shady corner of the patio, I dutifully purchased a coleus whose reddish-orange leaves actually seemed to glow. It remained vigorous throughout the summer, benefitting from an occasional haircut to keep its pleasing shape. I was a convert.
I haven’t been able to find that coleus since then, and I can’t remember its name. But I have discovered a new series called “flame thrower.” These offer similar spicy colors including ‘Chili Pepper,’ ‘Chipotle’ and ‘Habanero,’ guaranteed to brighten up a shady pot all season long.
Another unusual coleus is the ‘Wasabi’ whose lemon-lime serrated foliage packs a strong visual punch. I plan to pair it with a dark purple sweet potato vine (Ipomeoa) called ‘Blackie.’ These two will keep my shady planter looking good even if my blue lobelias give up the ghost midway through the summer (as they tend to do, at least in my garden).
Sweet potato vines come in a wide variety of colors, from almost black to vivid chartreuse. Spilling over the edges of a container, the deeply cut leaves steal the thunder from their small, lavender flowers. But these come as a nice surprise in the heat of July and August.
In addition to coleus and sweet potato vine, there are many ornamental grasses that add texture and color to summer planters. The Carex genus, commonly called sedge, is not actually a grass but a member of the Cyperaceae family. Carex includes ‘Red Rooster’ and ‘Toffee Twist,’ dense fountains of fine, coppery leaves. ‘Frosted Curls,’ pale green foliage edged with darker green, has a pleasant cascading habit. For large planters, there are many taller grasses, including feather reed grasses (Calamagrostis acutiflora) and fountain grasses (Pennistenum).
As you fill your summer planters, pay attention not only to flowers but to form and foliage. You will end up with an assortment of eye-catching plants that will make you happy all season long.
A new exhibit by R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton brings 24 talented artists together to showcase a wide range of styles and media inspired by this iconic landscape. “Views of the Mount Holyoke Range” will be on display through June 30 at the gallery at 132 Main St. and online at rmichelson.com.
All of the artworks are available for purchase, a portion of the proceeds will support Kestrel Trust’s work to conserve the range.
On June 7 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at Forbes Library in Northampton, Lilian Jackman, landscape designer and owner of Wilder Hill Gardens in Conway, and Vivian Felten, landscape consultant, will give a colorful, image-rich presentation on ways to grow landscapes that inspire. They will explain how understanding the site, soil and plant material are essential components to successful landscape designs.
Whether you wish to design your own gardens or you have clients of your own, this presentation shares insight and practical knowledge gained from decades of experience working in New England yards, urban lots and agricultural lands. The talk will take place in the library Community Room.
Join members, friends and their families at Kestrel’s first annual community picnic June 11 at 5 p.m. at the Renaissance Center at the University of Massachusetts, the former home of two of Kestrel’s founders. Volunteers, retiring board members Judy Eiseman and Paul Beaulieu and the current board chair Robert Jonas will be honored.
There will be a gourmet spread of sandwiches, salads, desserts, wine and beer. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the sunset. Children’s activities include lawn games, hoola-hoops and Frisbees. Rain or shine. $15 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets will not be sold on site. If you prefer not to pay online, you can drop off or mail a check to the Kestrel office at P.O. Box 1016, Amherst, MA by June 5. Please make a note “community picnic” and indicate any dietary restrictions.
For more information and to buy tickets, go to: kestrel.org or call 549-1097.
Mickey Rathbun can be reached at foxglover8@gmail.com