The creation of a successful Victorian urn planting (figure A) -- or any container garden, for that matter -- requires a few considerations: - Trailing foliage should cascade over the edges of the urn, with taller plants in the center for vertical height, surrounded by smaller filler plants.
- Soil should never be filled to the top of the urn: to ensure deep watering, leave enough space to allow for several inches of water to fill the urn. Water that runs off the soil instead of having time to penetrate to the base of the urn is the most common reason for plant disasters. Deep watering is required for all container plantings, and on hot summer days more than one watering may be required.
- Always remember to water inside the plant material, instead of on top of the foliage. On a hot sunny day, water on plant leaves can act like a magnifying glass, resulting in burned and damaged foliage.
The following plants were used to create these Victorian urns: - Trailing verbena (Verbena Tapien) in shades of white and purple (figure B). It has lush foliage and performs well in hot climates. Deadhead spent flowers as needed for continued bloom.
- Bacopa (Sutera Hybrida) in shades of blue/purple and white. Because it's a taller plant, it should be placed in the center of the urn.
- Larkspur (Delphinium SP), a tall, spiky plant (shown here in white). Larkspur can sometimes be finicky, depending on planting conditions.
- Heliotrope (Heliotrope Arborescens) (figure C), a quintessential Victorian plant. Heliotrope is loved for its deep-green foliage and scented purple blooms.
Alternate plantings so that no two urns have exactly the same plants, and add smaller annuals for bold splashes of color.
RESOURCES :
Soil Amendments
Soil amendments
Whitney Farms
Website: www.whitneyfarms.com
Simply Beautiful
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com
Simply Beautiful
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com
Garden Maker Software
Garden Maker Software
Email: mo@moplants.com
Website: www.moplants.com/garden_maker_software.html
Vietnamese Decorative Wine Jars
Item #5-6081
Asian Ceramics Inc.
Website: www.asian-ceramics.com
GUESTS :
Robert Smaus
Gardening expert and author
Website: bobsgardenpath.com
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