by Cindy Jungman, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

I find so many striking features in this full-sun container! The acalypha plant is a true thriller with its shiny and show foliage. 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 “Premium Cinnamon” used in this container. One of my favorite spiller plants is the pony-tail grass. I love the way it drapes softly over the edge of the container. Hard to see in this photo are the vinca plants towards the back because they blend so well with the supercal.

RECIPE:
• (1) Acalypha “Louisiana Red”
• (2) Supercal “Premium Cinnamon”
• (2) Stipa Pony Tail Grass
• (2) Vinca “Tatoo Papaya”

TIPS:
• The vigorous plants in this container need to be watered frequently.
• Consider mulching the container to help conserve moisture during hot weather. I like to use cocoa bean shells for mulch.
• Trim the supercal occasionally to maintain its fullness and encourage continuous blooms.
• Angle the root ball of the Stipa pony-tail grass towards the edge of the container when you plant it to encourage the plant to drape over the edge.
• Stipa pony-tail grass is easy to grow from seed. You can also divide purchased Stipa plants by cutting through with a sharp knife. Small clumps grow quickly.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/c23kwj41mkct7eesnn4341l7sk7hwxwv

by Cindy Jungman, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

Simple yet striking with its abundance of color, this galvanized washtub is the perfect container to grace the old farm pump.

RECIPE:
(16) Zinnias “Profusion,” four each cherry, white, yellow, and fire

TIPS:
• It is important to remove spent zinnia blooms frequently to encourage continuous blooms.
• Fertilize regularly.
• I plant tulip bulbs in this washtub in the fall. Plant thickly. This area is insulated by a snowdrift which helps the tulip bulbs survive in a container. In the spring, I remove the tulips along with the top half of the soil. Add new soil on top and plant for the summer.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/amjb01q2pfif9za111uh3iwebx9by1sk

by Cindy Jungman, SDSU Extension Master Gardener

Coleus plants can range so much in size, color, leaf shape, and upright vs. trailing habit. I love to combine all the textures, colors, and growth habits in my coleus containers. Coleus plants can make a shady spot pop with color! Coleus container groupings provide a lush view.

RECIPE:
This photo consists of four containers, each with 3-5 coleus plants. Some of my coleus plants originated 10-15 years ago, so I do not have all their names. Among my favorite named varieties are:
• Pineapple Splash
• Riverwalk
• Burgundy Wedding Train
• Wildfire Blaze
• Sedona
• Limon Blush
• Spiced Curry
• Terra Nova Marrakesh
• Chocolate Drop
• Flamethrower Chipotle
• Sea Red Urchin

TIPS:
• Read your plant labels! It is important to know if your coleus plant needs shade or can handle sun.
• Coleus plants like warm weather and new plants really struggle in cool, wet conditions. Take your time setting out your coleus containers.
• Coleus plants labeled “Sun” can handle several hours of full sun, but rarely can a coleus plant tolerate full sun all day. The containers in this photo are on the west side of my house, but on the north side of a fence, so they get only a little late afternoon sun.
• I elevated the back container to give height to the grouping.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/5r1bkg0ewqumi1a76tp2ip06cj2hhuvc

The bright colors of this container provide lots of curb appeal! Look closely at the beautiful bi-color petunia, and you will see that each blossom has five red hearts! The deep red plants are supercals, a cross between a petunia and a calibrachoa. They are exceptionally vigorous bloomers! Duranta “Gold Edge,” the thriller plant in the back of the container looms above the profusion of blooms.

RECIPE:
• (1) Petunia “Amore Queen of Hearts”
• (2) Supercal “Premium Bordeaux”
• (2) Calibrachoa “Deep Yellow”
• (1) Duranta “Gold Edge”

TIPS:
• This container thrives in full sun.
• All the plants in this container except the duranta benefit from an occasional trimming to keep their nice shape and encourage continuous blooms.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/peyx18y7fy5neguwu6g89dc871rbyvcy

This beautiful container really stands out in a shady area! The ceramic ball coordinates so well with the foliage.

RECIPE:
• (1) Begonia “Dragon Wing Pink”
• (2) Plectranthus “Troy’s Gold”

TIPS:
• This container requires filtered light or full shade.
• The Dragon Wing Begonia is susceptible to wind, so it is best placed in a sheltered area.
• I pinch back the leaves of the Plectranthus plant when it is first planted to encourage fullness.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/tj5uhopv9dgd1ktpw5h20ywa1kwm5xcc