Everything about this container is rosy! The thriller plant is a fountain grass named “Fireworks.” It is surrounded by a variety of rose-shaded plants and topped off by a rosy solar ornament.

RECIPE:
• (1) Fountain Grass “Fireworks”
• (2) Petunias “Surfinia Summer Double Salmon”
• (4) Gazania “New Day Pink Shades”
• (6) Vinca “Tattoo Papaya”

TIPS:
• Fountain grass will grow as large as your container allows. Select a good-sized container with an ample amount of soil.
• Do not use a container that is narrow at the bottom as it will be subject to blowing over. A container such as the barrel shown in this photo has a wider base and will not blow over.
• The root system of the fountain grass is extensive and requires a lot of water.
• I use a DIY plant support ring around my fountain grass to lift the blades above the soil and allow the other flowers to grow without being smothered. To make the support ring, I purchase an inexpensive small tomato cage and cut it off above the lowest ring. Place the ring around the grass about 4”-6” above the soil. As the grass grows, pull the new blades up through the support ring.
• Remove spend blossoms from the gazania plants to encourage continuous flowering.
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This grouping in our shaded patio area gives a cool inviting touch using a water feature and shade plants. The sound of cascading water adds to the tranquil atmosphere.

RECIPE:
• This grouping incorporates a variety of ferns, shade annuals, and houseplants including:
o Blue Star Fern
o Green Fantasy Fern
o Lemon Button Fern
o Pepperomia graveolens
o Creeping Fig
o Hypostes “Polka Dot Plant”
o Dragon Wing Begonia
o Various Ivy

TIPS:
• Use a variety of container sizes, shapes and colors when grouping containers.
• Elevate some containers (I use bricks) to add height to the grouping and to feature all plants.
• Shade groupings require much less water.
• Nearly all these plants can be grown as house plants.
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This full sun container rocks with its bright colors! The thriller plant, Salvia “Rockin Fuschia,” grows 24” to 30” tall and keeps on blooming. The supercal plant is a cross between a petunia and calibrachoa. It is such a reliable and prolific plant and it comes in unique colors such as the “Sunray Pink” used in this container. I used the deep yellow calibrachoa to bring out the yellow throats of the supercal flowers.

RECIPE:
• (1) Salvia “Rockin Fuschia”
• (2) Supercal “Sunray Pink”
• (1) Calibrachoa “Deep Yellow”

TIPS:
• Remove spent blooms of the salvia to encourage continuous flowers.
• This container needs a lot of water as the plants mature.
• Trim the calibrachoa occasionally to keep it from becoming straggly.
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Consider growing a tropical vine! The passion vine can grow 10-15 feet. It abounds with scented flowers that will produce passion fruit. I have never checked to see if the fruit is edible, but it’s fun to see on the vine! I plant a coordinating filler plant in the container to shade the soil and “anchor” the vine.

RECIPE:
• (1) Passiflora Passion Vine “Incense”
• (2) Supertunia “Violet Star Charm”

TIPS:
• Give this vine a fairly large container that accommodates its extensive root system.
• This healthy vine requires a lot of water.
• You need a trellis of some kind for this vine to attach to.
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