My Container Gardens #1: The Beginning ... Finding just the right containers ...

oh yah.. this is going to be fun to watch.
the little patch of intrigue! Little surprises everywhere. Love the idea
and the chair!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Thanks Deb …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Thanks for the photo of the chair. I think I will try to make one for my yard. very cute. Good luck with the new bed. Always exciting to start a new one.

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

NOW WHAT COULD BE PUT ON THIS GRAVEL BORDER ?:-
IDEA NO 1 LOADS OF GARDEN GNOMES FISHING ,SITTING SLEEPING & CANOULDELING!
IDEA NO.2 RUSTIC RAISED BEDS FULL OF HERBS AND FLOWERS
IDEA NO. 3 A LOW RISE ROCKERY AND ALPINE BORDER
IDEA NO. 4 A HAMMOCK AND A WALL MOUNTED REFRIGERATOR FULL OF CIDER
IDEA NO.5 GO OUT AND BUY SOME INTERESTING ITEMS LIKE RUSTIC SEATS,CHIMNEY POTS AND MILK CHURNS AND PLANT THEM UP .
I THINK YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT LINES GRANDMA GET DOWN THAT FLEAMARKET AGAIN THIS WEEEK. REGARDS MIKE

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

Thanks Mike!!! Yah, I will. I am hoping after Easter the market will change a bit as to what they are carrying. Time will tell.

Jury is still out as to whether we want to remove the gravel/stones … I hate the stones, but they could look cool depending on what items are placed on top of them. Hmmmmmmm …..

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

If I remember correctly, that stretch is all southern-facing, right? If so, you should take advantage of all that sunlight and plant the heck out of it!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Yup that is south-facing. What I want to check is if there is plastic under those stones … if not then I can place specific plantings within the rocks and in the containers as well. Was heading out today to do a little investigation but the weather is not cooperating (as you know). Always tomorrow …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Even if there is plastic in there, you can cut small holes through it to allow roots and proper drainage…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Oh, geez, why didn’t I think of that. Sometimes the simple things are just overlooked. Well that solves the iissue then … YEAH!!!!! Thanks “D”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Can grow dang near anywhere, in a 1/4” of organic matter found between said rocks, with no more water than what it gets when it rains.

The above is Improved Golden Sedum.. I’ve got Star Sedum, which is about the same thing.. Short bloom time, but nice lush ground cover.

I had some growing on the patio this spring (fell out of the container, growing on concrete with a little soil), so it grows anywhere to drop it..

-- Planting Daylilies in Kentucky, zone 6b

No problemo, G’maT…the only thing to watch out for is planting anything that might not like the stored heat from the rocks at the height of summer. Certain species can get “tenderfooted” about heat and like it cool down there…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Thanks “D” and Scott. Nice pic Scott and a plant I will consider. This “growing in rock” is new for me. I normally like my beds of dark, rich dirt, full of flowers and weed free!!! Heck, this is the first year I have mulched. I normally have just worked my dirt … turning it over once a week, weeding, fertilizing, watering. But that was in dappled sunlight. The mulch, at this new house, has helped with keeping the moisture in, with the full sun.

Good point about the roots and stored heat. I’ll keep that in mind. So drought tolerant plants would be good candidates to plant among the rocks??

The more I think on it and talk about it … the more exciting I am becoming!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Yup, you’ve got the idea…

Any of the sedums will do well I’d think, though be sure to read their descriptions and growing requirements. All in all though, they’re tough as nails.

The above is another good example of a sedum. It’s called Dragons Blood.. Grows slightly taller than the Golden I posted above. There’s tons of types however, from ground cover to nice 12” heights or more.

http://www.google.com/images?q=sedum

The above image search is a good example.. You’ll see all kinds of sedum there. Autumn Joy is a nice taller one. Well… do some searching, you’ll see what all is out there..

As for how tough it is.. Here’s a small live roof.

It’s the plant of choice when doing live roofs.

.... Can you tell I like sedums? ;)

-- Planting Daylilies in Kentucky, zone 6b

Yah Scott, I can tell !!! LOL!!!! I haven’t grown Sedum before; but will look into it with this rock garden. Pretty plant variety, that is for sure.

I have a few “drought tolerant” plant catalogues that I am going to “cruise through” to see what I can find that might spark my interest. Plus, like you, I always read the plant labels when I am unfamilliar with a plant. Otherwise, how do you know where to plant it and care for it. No sense wasting good money on a plant that won’t tolerate your garden conditions.

Man, this is fun ….

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

G’maT, I’ve got some sedum I can donate to your experiment…it’s ridiculously easy to maintain!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Thanks “D”, I’ll take you up on it … maybe I have a few plants you might want pieces of too. Come spring we’ll have to meet and do a little swapping. That would be fun!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Word.

Alas, since you’ve already got stellas, I can’t unload any on you…LOL…

If my cannas made it, you are welcome to some of those, too!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

I’m interested in those “lilly/iris” roots you are growing (Pardancanda, I think) ... I have a red dwarf (Stella family) Liliy that is really pretty; plus other standard size Lilies in several different colors. And, hey, I am always open to more Stella’s … be great in the new side rock garden. Since I took pieces from my old house, when we moved my current Stella’s aren’t big enough to split yet.

Oh I got a bit of this and that … and hey ordered some plants too that I can give pieces of. So come spring … you and me, buddy!!!! LOL!!!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

HI GRANDMA T NOW BE CAREFUL AT THE FLEA MARKET THIS WEEKEND (WE CALL THEM CAR BOOT SALES) LAST YEAR I GOT A WONDERFUL BARGAIN I BOUGHT 50 CAMOUFLAGE SUITS FOR ONLY £1 EACH ! DO YOU THINK I CAN FIND THEM NOW ? REGARDS MIKE

-- MIKE MILTON COMMON U.K.

Well when I said I was heading to the flea market this Sunday (flea market is only held on Sunday’s); I didn’t realize it was Easter Sunday. So the flea market will have to wait a week … gonna spend Sunday with family. BUT, next Sunday the “hunt” continues!!! Thanks Mike for thinking of me!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

GrandmaT, what a great idea, I’m going to keep an eye on this.
Mike I have never been to a car boot sale/flee market in my life…....sad eh!

-- Derbyshire------- English Countryside