The call of gardening comes each Spring not only in the form of new bedding plants, but also with the lure of beautiful new flower pots.
Large blue and white flower pots for alluring blue, pink, and lavender colored flowers fill the top of the pine chest against the stone fireplace that separates the living room and kitchen.
S p r i n g g a r d e n i n g
F l o w e r P o t s & L a v e n d e r
With the devastating February snowstorm that killed many outdoor plants and shrubs, buying new flowers and pots seems more urgent than in years past. We are still removing dead flowers, shrubs, and vines with more plants yet to be declared recovering or completely dead.
Is the plant really dead or only damaged with hopes of reviving? Is there green life underneath the bare branches? Is the plant strong enough to recover?
Seeing all the lifeless brown leaves and bare stems where emerging green leaves and sprouts should be at this time is depressing, and even more so against the backdrop of vibrant green plants. Such a stark contrast! The green life of surviving plants only makes the brown dead plants detract from the beauty of the new spring green leaves.
In north central Texas, time is running out for Spring planting. Hot weather arrives by June. But, both new plants and pots have arrived at my house.
The Call of New Bedding Plants
Lavender and Sage
Flowers in my yard and in containers on the decks and porch match the colors used in my house. Light periwinkle blue walls inside are the backdrop for blue, white, lavender, and pink/mauve upholstery, pillows, curtains, countertops, artwork, painted furniture, etc... Those colors flow from inside to outside.
A large beautiful pale blue pot started this Spring's flower pot obsession. Paler than usual for the blues in my house, the new pot was irresistible! The color proved to fit right in. The new flower pot coordinates with a vintage French postcard bought from a Paris seller of vintage postcards in the Passage des Panoramas.
Spring signals an inner urge to buy new flower pots as well as new bedding plants. Once the new blue pot found a spot on the pine chest, the urge to add more pots and more flowers led to three pots with my favorite colors for blooming plants: blues, lavenders, pinks, ...
The new plants will go outside in containers, but for a few days they add Spring to inside the house.
Lavender and blue sage plants are always on my shopping list each Spring. I have come to think of lavender as an annual at my house instead of a perennial. No matter what variety or care given, I cannot get lavender to grow as a perennial. Instead of giving up on lavender, I enjoy it while it lives and buy new plants each year.
On a trip to one of my favorite garden centers in Dallas, I found lavender plants in a color new to me. Plus, the pinkish lavender plant (Lavandula Lavish Pink) has two double blooms and is filled with buds for more blooms to come.
The plants were grown by Cooper Creek Growers (wholesalers) in Denton, TX and are labeled as perennials. Denton is in north central Texas which is a good sign. Plants grown in the same region as gardeners means the plants were grown under similar conditions as the gardens where the plants will grow.
Tall, spiky Fernleaf Lavender on the other hand was grown by a California wholesale company and was described as "best variety for hot areas" and "hardy to 25° F" on the label.
This variety is one I have grown before, and I love its shape, fragrance, and color. One plant fills a container since it grows 24-26" tall and 24-26" in diameter.
Both of these lavender plants are destined for large clay pots on the open east deck where they will get full sun until late afternoon when they will receive shade from the house. Fingers crossed they bloom all summer.
Blue sage sits in the new blue container until it will be transplanted outside.
While lavender is finicky in my garden, blue sage is a sure-fire winner. This variety of tall blue sage is a perennial and has performed very well for several years in a large container in the backyard. This year's severe prolonged freeze in February killed the sage, and the plant needs to be replaced.
Perennial blue sage flowers are not as showy as lavender, but the plant blooms all summer, is drought tolerant, and comes back year after year in north central Texas.
The Lure of Flower Pots
The white ceramic pot with a ruffled rim is not new. Found a few years ago at The Findery in Waco, Tx, the pot is a favorite to use all during the year, not just in the Spring for lavender.
The large white ceramic pot with the detailed rim and bottom edge does not have a hole in the bottom for drainage which makes it a good container for indoor plants. Found at HomeGoods this Spring, the container cost a fraction of the price for similar pots at garden centers.
Perfect Spot for Spring Gardening
with new flower pots and lavender
The stone fireplace is the wall between the living room and the kitchen. The pine chest at the end of the fireplace is an ever changing scene since the spot is visible from both living room and kitchen.
The stone hearth that extends around the corner of the fireplace is perfect for setting new plants waiting to be transplanted outside. Since the plants are close by during daily activities, they are in constant view and not overlooked when they need water. And, the stone flooring is not damaged by dripping water.
Happy Gardening
inside and out
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S o u r c e s
Pine Chest Vignette Tips | Spring and Summer - A look back at arrangements on the pine chest with tips on how the arrangements were created
Lavandula Lavish Pink (lavender plant) - Nicholson-Hardie Garden Center, Dallas, TX
Fernleaf Lavender - Nicholson-Hardie Garden Center, Dallas, TX
Blue Sage Plant - gift
Blue Flower Pot - HomeGoods
White Flower Pot with Detailed Edges - HomeGoods
White Flower Pot with Ruffled Rim - The Findery, Waco, TX - several years ago
I’d like to ask if the No comments at the top of this section means that you don’t want comments on this particular post. Often I would see your post as a part of some group link but now that I’ve become a regular it seems to always be there. I don’t see any other posts either. I’m just curious about your intent with this wording at the top of this section.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Margo, the phrase No Comments is supplied by Google's Blogger and is built in to the comment feature. I don't think I can change it. It simply means no one has left a comment yet on the post. Now that you have left a comment, that phrase No Comments no longer appears. I had never realized someone might think the No Comments phrase meant do not leave a comment. I will give Google Blogger this feedback. Maybe they will change their format to say something like, "No Comments Yet".
DeleteJudith
That’s a great idea. Yours is not the only blog I’ve seen like this, I wonder if it has any impact on the number of responses you get. I will admit that since I’ve retired there are things I haven’t kept up with.
DeleteI love lavender and always have it in my garden. At my previous house I had lavender that lasted for years and years even though everyone told me that it wouldn’t winter over. (Massachusetts)
The weather in Texas this year gave you a taste of New England. We are having a nice spring here and there is quite a bit of greenery popping up.
I love your site and the beautiful displays. Thank you for answering me so promptly.
I could've written this post myself! LOL Lavender is an annual for me, my Salvia died and I am staring at brown sticks where there used to be leaves! I think my Cannas have died but I'm holding on to hope that I suddenly see signs of life.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely lovely pots. I think I need to buy some new ones to pick up my spirits, along with some new bedding plants. Lavender is on my "buy list".
Enjoy this beautiful day!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Marilyn,
DeleteSo many people in north central Texas could have written this post due to the extreme frigid winter temperatures! Oh, yes, you should buy some new pots as well as new bedding plants. That always perks my spirits up.
Happy gardening,
Judith
I love the smell of lavender but I've never tried to grow it. Maybe this will be the year for me! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa, I grow my lavender in pots on the deck where the plants are within arm's reach. Just brushing my hand across the plant releases a heavenly waft of lavender. Yes, maybe this will be the year for you. :)
DeleteJudith
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely to hear about Texas gardens recovering from the really heavy weather you had. I really like how you have brought spring into your home - it all looks gorgeous. Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. I’m featuring this post at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there! Take care, stay well, and I wish you a wonderful week!
ReplyDelete