For me the 4th of July is summer's midpoint! By now my veggie garden is in full producing mode and my patio flowers in the big pot are dazzling! They are happy and vigorous and loving summer life!
Last week I shared our new PATIO.
Since then, I have had lots of questions about what I plant in those big patio pots...so I'm showing and telling the anatomy of a flower pot!
For decades and decades I have planted over a dozen summer patio and porch pots every year.
Last year I found a wonderful local greenhouse called PERFECT POTS. Not only are the ladies at PP so nice and helpful...they also have beautiful plants! Plants that are not your everyday garden variety!
But what I love about PERFECT POTS is that I can go to their greenhouse and have a consultation with one of the garden professionals about what I should put in my pots.
They take notes, they show me flowers, they ask questions about sunlight and watering schedules! They listen to my ideas and must-haves!
But here's the best, best part! They will come and pick up my pots, plant them and deliver them right back to my home!
The cost for the transportation is $10.00... and there is no charge to plant the pots... just the cost of the plants themselves and any dirt needed.
I did pay a couple of dollars for plant food and to have them bug proofed! That's it!
I have always prided myself on being a do-it-yourselfer... but I am also smart enough to know a good thing... no, a great fabulous thing!
And this service at Perfect Pots is a great, fabulous thing! A great smart bargain-of-a-thing!
My criteria for the patio pots was bright color and lots of blooms. I wanted sweet potato vine, lantana, geraniums and salvia in each pot. I also wanted flowers that would last all summer long!
And here's what the ladies at Perfect Pots paired with my requests...
LOVE this color combo...
Lantana is one of my favorite summer flowers!
There was also coleus, spider plant, creeping Jenny, ficus grass, million kiss begonias and I few more I could not identify in the mix!
I did do some planting of my own...
Like the mint in pots on my patio. Isn't this a fun cart... from Decor Steals.
Mint and basil and parsley are summer herbs I can't be without!
The biggest planting project this year was my kitchen herb garden.
If you missed that post click HERE
I also planted Everbloom Hydrangeas on my front porch again...
I think the hydrangeas are going to be a front porch signature bloom! Their big moppy blue heads work so well with the grey limestone facade of StoneGable!
Look for a post later this week about other things planted on the front porch!
It's not to late to plant a few more pots... and plants in my area are on sale! Hmmmm, I think I need one more pot of flowers for the table on my porch!
Remember to
Okay -- Where do you live -- no I'm not a stalker, I just need to find where I can go to find the Perfect Pot ladies. My gosh I'd willingly pay to have some of these humongous pots filled and planted. Also do you plant your hydrangeas in the soil in the fall? I love hydrangeas!! I would have them all over our house. Your flowers are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMarisa, I live in Lancaster Co. Pa. I plant my hydrangeas out in my veggie garden in the fall.
DeleteDid you buy those wonderful pots from Perfect Pots? I love them!
ReplyDeleteHi Vicky, the pots came from Costco. They are as light and very durable.
DeleteHow fabulous to have a service that makes such gorgeous pots! Love, love the combinations. Scaevola (fan flower) is one of my favorites, but not always easy to find. It lasts all summer in our Georgia heat. I haven't seen any at the garden centers yet this year. :( Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pots.
ReplyDeletePerfect Pots - even though I enjoy planting my annual containers, that really sounds like a deal, and I love the colors! I agree, the hydrangeas on the front porch look awesome against the grey limestone and should be your signature greeting - they're gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love a great deal! Also, have to ask...do you plant the hydrangeas somewhere else at the end of the season?
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi, My hydrangeas go out in the veggie garden in the fall.
DeleteThat does sound like a fantastic thing. The posts are beautiful Yvonne.
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful plants. I checked out your link and see they are in Strasburg, in southern Lancaster County. Too bad they aren't located in Pottstown <-- haha =) Their gallery of pictures are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI know you are enjoying your gorgeous new patio.
Mary
from Virginia
I work in a greenhouse and can honestly say it is a joy helping customers plan out their gardening containers. The box store plant/garden centers can't offer that service and it is a nice way to avoid having a cookie cutter planter. Your pots are beautiful! I love the colors/plants combination. I notice you use lantana as a cut flower occasionally in some of your posts-what a great idea! The herbs are so fun. The recipes you share using them are inspiring. Can't wait to green up some of your salads this week. Enjoy your patio-that is what summer is all about-family gatherings, outdoors, gardening and fresh homemade dishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yvonne for an awesome post! Simply stunning AND thanks for all of the info!!!
ReplyDeleteAnn R.
Mom2acoach
I have almost completely gone to container gardening...except for my perennial garden along my fence. I love to mix and match colors too. The porch hydrangeas are absolute perfection!
ReplyDeletePerfect Pots sound like Perfect Pals for the time strapped gardener! I love buying big plants that are ready to go as it gives instant lift and change to any area of my cottage and without a greenhouse buying plants is a great option. Lovely bright and beautiful post :)
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! Next year I am coming up to Parfect Pots!!! What a fabulous service! And I see you got the pots from Costco! I have to get a membership, we used to have one but I let it lapse cause I didn't use it enough. Enjoy this GORGEOUS weather!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful! I love the combinations you chose. Sweet potato vine is such a great filler with its bright green color and pretty leaves. What kind of dirt and fertilizer do you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne!
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne! I like a good time released fertilized soil. And if I can get it I live the kind that absorbs water... for those days when I forget to water. Miracle Grow is my #1 choice.
DeleteThat's the soil that I use too. Glad to see that I'm on the right track :0)
DeleteThanks, Yvonne!
Beautiful flowers…love the color combinations! Thank you for the inspiration….I'm headed to the garden center now!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your beautiful and inspiring blog. I have tried many of your recipes,and they always turn out wonderful and delicious. I love all the home and spiritual information you provide. Thank you for sharing your home and homemaking skills. (I don't have a blog. I'm a reader from Tennessee.)
ReplyDeleteThe flower pots are simply breathtaking....however, I have one question? Do they deliver to North Carolina???!!..What a great, great service!!!...they certainly do a magnificent job....and love those hydrangeas on the front porch!!!
ReplyDeleteVery very beautiful, Yvonne! I've seen where you indicate you plant your hydrangeas in your veggie garden in the fall. So to make sure, you dig the same 2 plants out of the veggie garden in the spring and put them in the pots on the front porch and then replant them in the dirt again in the fall?? Are they in smaller pots then the front porch?
ReplyDeleteso so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI would give anything for a service such as this! And you can't beat the cost! I'm all about a good deal! And beautiful to boot! Thanks Yvonne! Xo Kathy@The Daily Nest
ReplyDeleteOh wow! What I wouldn't pay to have that service this year. Your pots are beautiful as are the hydrangeas. I love those pretty blue and pink (and white oak leaf) flowers every year. That is when I know summer is truly here.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, Are those the hydrangea from last year? And they are blooming?? My Annabelle are the only hydrangea that are blooming this year. I think the cold spring zapped the blooms.
ReplyDeleteYour pots are so lovely. I used to think I did not like orange, but I am putting a lot of oranges and pinks together and I like your blue and orange combinations. Colorful, lush and beautiful!
Thanks for each and every post. I know you put a of time and thought into them, and I want to tell you that I soak in every detail of every post--and also love rereading all your old ones. (A book from you would be a treasure!!)
Linda in Lititz
Hi Linda.
DeleteMy hydrangeas from last year had a very rough winter and did not survive. But I'll plant out these and hope for the best!
What beautiful pots full of colorful flowers! And your photos are amazing!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning, Yvonne! I love your new patio too. It is truly amazing! Blessings to you and your family - prayers for Chris.
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteAll of your potted pretties are stunners!! LOVE your style and I'm off to see that porch and your kitchen herb garden....how did I miss these??!!
Thanks for sharing all the wisdom and have a wonderful week!
Poppy
On the top of your page there is a picture of aprons hanging from hooks that are under dinner plates, did you make those and if you did how did you attach the hooks, if they were purchased where did you get them.
ReplyDeleteI love the patio pots,sure wish that there was someone in my area that would do that. I am going to have to look into this.
Wanda
I did not make the apron hooks. I got it from Luckett's in Va. I am working on my own version for later this summer.
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