I'm not known for artistic container arrangements. But I was inspired to try again by a purchase at the Smart Garden Faire in Scotts Valley (where I was a CNPS booth babe for a morning) -- a couple of Sphaeralcea munroana, Monroe's Globemallow. They were so pretty and I thought they might drape down a large pot.
So I hardened my heart and ditched some old tenants of a nice pot - plants that never bloomed but never died either - and refilled the pot with a mixture of native soil and potting mix, an entirely unscientific mixture that I figure might give the plants the best of both worlds.
Along with the globemallow I picked an assortment from what I had to hand:
2 Sphaeralcea munroana - Monroe's Globemallow (also called Flame Checkers) - CNPS propagated plants.
3 Zauschneria canum canum, California Fuschia - grown from local wild seed.
1 Penstemon Heterophylla "Margarita BOP" - Foothill Penstemon, which I propagated from CNPS purchased plants.
1 Nasella lepida, Foothill needlegrass - grown from local wild seed.
Other than the globemallow, the plants are still quite small, and I hope they will fill out. The needlegrass will get fairly tall, a couple feet. Here's a closer view from the top:
They all like very little water, so of course I've been watering them liberally. I should dub myself The Anxious Gardener. But I only drowned them till their roots got a little time to take hold. I'm not actually sure how often container plantings of drought tolerant natives should get water. I'll probably water them weekly, as I have other pots in that area that get weekly water. If they don't look good on that regimen, then I'll back off. Any advice welcome!
So I hardened my heart and ditched some old tenants of a nice pot - plants that never bloomed but never died either - and refilled the pot with a mixture of native soil and potting mix, an entirely unscientific mixture that I figure might give the plants the best of both worlds.
Along with the globemallow I picked an assortment from what I had to hand:
2 Sphaeralcea munroana - Monroe's Globemallow (also called Flame Checkers) - CNPS propagated plants.
3 Zauschneria canum canum, California Fuschia - grown from local wild seed.
1 Penstemon Heterophylla "Margarita BOP" - Foothill Penstemon, which I propagated from CNPS purchased plants.
1 Nasella lepida, Foothill needlegrass - grown from local wild seed.
Other than the globemallow, the plants are still quite small, and I hope they will fill out. The needlegrass will get fairly tall, a couple feet. Here's a closer view from the top:
They all like very little water, so of course I've been watering them liberally. I should dub myself The Anxious Gardener. But I only drowned them till their roots got a little time to take hold. I'm not actually sure how often container plantings of drought tolerant natives should get water. I'll probably water them weekly, as I have other pots in that area that get weekly water. If they don't look good on that regimen, then I'll back off. Any advice welcome!
Comments
I have my pots on a drip where they get watered every 3rd day. I have monkeyflower, penstemon, and a few other things, and they seem to not mind the water. Pots dry out so quickly, so I'd expect your water regimen will be fine.
K