I seem to be collecting pots now almost as much as I do plants. But then again each pot is a planting opportunity.
Now time to give an update on the plants growing at the front of the house...
Three years ago we had a makeover of the front of the house by adding blue pots with drought tolerant planting. Later on we have also planted out a flowering cherry tree and added some railings to demarcate our space complement the house (it used to have railings back in the day). This year, sensing that we could add more pots to the corner seen above without compromising parking space, we proceeded to add three more to make the display stronger. Prior to that we wanted more height at the back so the Nolina nelsonii was repotted to a much taller blue one.
With three new pots to fill, we had to select new plants that will go in them and do well in this area. Taking cue from the plants already, we bought a few more drought tolerant plants on our recent trip to Urban Jungle.
First to be planted was an Agave parryi var. truncata. Upon removal of the plastic pot it came in with, I was rather fascinated by the pups circling the rootball - they looked like snakes or slithering creatures of some sort.
Fascinating they may be, they still got snipped before being placed into its new blue home. Next to be planted was a Dyckia 'Nickel Silver' followed by Agave neomexicana.
We're really pleased with the end result, and love the way the greens and blues from the plants themselves mix and complement each other (if I may say so).
What about the other plants at the front house? Here they are now:
The backdrop of the photo above is far from glamorous, with it being a parade of rubbish bins. It does tell a story though, of the our neighbour finally getting a house extension done after mulling about it for years. So the bins were out at the time these photos were taken to keep the side passage clear so the builders can do their work.
On the other side the backdrop is a British Gas van. One can easily guess what our other neighbour does for a living. The van is actually very rarely parked in that spot but by chance it was there then, and I actually like the way the paintwork coordinates with the colour of the pots!
My favourite backdrop though are the bricks of our house...
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Your use of the same cobalt blue color for all your pots is very effective here. All the plants look in prefect condition too (not that I'd expect any less from the two of you!). I look forward to the day my own Nolina gets that big - after almost a year in the ground, mine's still a runt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! And to think we nearly gave away the few cobalt blue pots we had then, which became the basis of our display now. Hopefully you'll get a good growth spurt with your Nolina starting this year.
DeleteThis turned out so well ! I too have an insane amount of pots languishing in my utility area, and even more now with the winter rains having turned several of my containerized succulents to mush.Your plants all look fantastically healthy !
ReplyDeleteEmbrace it and make a mass display of potted plants :)
DeleteThis drought tolerant display is looking good, all so big and healthy. Like Kris, I really like the cobalt blue theme. For this number of pots, it works to keep it simple.
ReplyDeleteLove cobalt blue pots now, a few years ago it was the other way around. Wish we had a bigger front space though :)
DeleteGiven the constraints of the neighbours I think that is as good as it gets and it looks great. Of course you have space for more pots if you downsize on the car :-)
ReplyDeleteNo chance, love the space of a big car :) saying that, our next door neighbour bought a new car and their space is even smaller than ours...
DeleteVery nicely done. The blue is perfect against the brick.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous as always gentlemen. The blue vehicle backdrop caught my eye early on. Love that combination of blues.
ReplyDeleteFunny how it complemented the blue of pots too!
DeleteLove all the pots and plants but can't stop staring at the Agave parryi snakes. I've unpotted plenty of pupping Agaves in my day, but never have I seen such perfectly formed snakes. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThey look so odd aren't they? They remind me of scorpion tails too. I've thought of incorporating them on a pot display but a day later the 'tails' turned a shade of grey so abandoned the idea.
DeleteI love the pots, but I'm biased having a lot of cobalt blue pots myself! Mine still need to be filled for the year though. Maybe I can find a nolina?
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend Nolina, and there's a lot of hardy ones to choose from too :)
DeleteYour sense of design is so good. The blue and green against the brick is striking. I have to laugh though as all those plants would be burnt and struggling here if placed surrounded by pavement. Too hot! In your climate though they must appreciate reflected heat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail! They certainly appreciate the reflected heat, especially in the winter as area gets winter sun so has a good microclimate.
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