Front Flower Planter

The planter just outside my dining room window is HUGE.  Just really did not have a handle on how HUGE this planter/flower bed would be when completed, nor how challenging to plant.  I can reach the ledge on tip-toes, but need a ladder to do the job right.  At least ten feet long, quite a few plants are needed to fill the space … thank goodness it’s only about one and a half feet wide.  The rocks in the planter are dual purpose; they hold the soil in the planter and help conserve moisture.  Texture and eye appeal are added bonuses.

The first year, Stella d’Oro day lilies purchased at the end-of-season box sale at our local greenhouse were planted with the idea that they’d bloom for years.  Generally a hardy perennial, easy to care for, drought resistant, and colorful all summer long, Stella d’Oro’s are perfect for a busy mom … but apparently they don’t survive in my planter.  Only two came back in 2010 and none in 2011, so gerber daisies (an annual, beautiful color and moderately drought resistant) and Butterfly Argryanthemum were planted.  All were purchased at the end of season box sale around the end of June – yeah, I wasn’t real timely last year, either. 

Gerber daisies are a favorite and have been for years, but the Argryanthemum (below) are now on my favorite list, too. 

Last year, they’d been cut off at about 4”, but the greenhouse said they’d come back more full and  colorful.  They were accurate and the plants filled up the planter with greenery and beautiful, long-lasting yellow flowers.  I’ve since read that cutting back also keeps them from getting leggy.  This year, both Butterfly (the color shown above) and Madiera Primrose (a lighter, creamier yellow color) were planted.

A couple Ballerina Rose Guara (Guara lindheimeri)  were added to each end of the planter, too.  This plant is also drought resistant.  We are plenty wet here, but busy moms don’t have much time for watering and then watering is often forgotten until the plant is drooping and wilted, too!  Best to look for plants that can thrive in the environment my family creates.

This particular variety grows 12-18” in height.  Perfect for the front planter.  The color is great against our green siding and shows from a distance.  So, I thought I’d get a few more plants.  However, the second batch I picked up is ‘Pink Fountain’ (Guara lindheimeri).  Didn’t realize this variety grows to approx. 24-36” until after I’d planted them in the center of the planter!  Stubborn as I am, I’m going to leave it.  The base of the plant is full and compact, but the flowers grow and bloom on tall stalks.  I think it’ll be ok; if not, I just won’t do it next year! 

My hope is that I’ll be able to save seeds, roots or whatever I need to do with the gerber daisies, argyranthemum and guara to grow my own next year.  The cost of annual plants has gone up so much in the years since I married and started caring about planting gardens, both vegetable and flower.  Normally, I’d plant hardy  perennials, but this planter doesn’t provide enough winter protection for ANY perennial (based on experience with Stella d’Oro’s and tulips).  I’d rather put in a little time, teaching my kids along the way, to grow the annual plants and save the money for something else.