A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Landscape trials and triumphs My rock garden July 2007.

Okay, here it goes. What do you think? I started a rock garden this past spring to help disguise the utility boxes. I chose to go rock, because I wanted to make the boxes accessible for workers to get to. That, and I do not have to worry about mowing there. Most of the plants are in containers due to underground cables. The following is a list of plants I have in there:

1. Orange climbing rose
2. Two types of Cannas
3. Aster
4. Lavender
5. Three types of fountain grasses
6. Wave petunias
7. Aloe plant
8. succulent
9. Unknown type of cactus

This is the first year for all of the plants. I got the climbing rose late, but it seems to be doing really well. I am not a fan of annuals, but my mother-in-law really wanted the petunias. Please feel free to comment on the pics, and please provide information or suggestions on what I can do to improve the look of this garden. This is my first real attempt at gardening period, so be gentle. HAHA! I can provide more pics if anyone would like me to.

Looks so nice! That rose will look great once it gets climbing. The colors will be "peachy", maybe a contrast of blue daze would help those colors pop. And the blue daze spills over containers so beautifully.

Susan,

I'm impressed with your rock garden, especially since I saw the area before you put your garden in.

I know you didn't get your green thumb from me!

Thank you all for your compliments! Now, if I decide not to regrow the cannas, what do you suggest I put in the pots next spring?

Ohhh I think anything cascading would be awesome in a container.., UNless you want something with height to use as a back drop! I agree that blue daze is pretty BUT the only thing is ~is that it is suppose to be heat drought tolerant And I seem to have to water mine more than a heat drought tolerant plant should need, and seeing how we pretty much have the same temps in summer it may be a problem, I don't mind watering mine tho because I like the results,
Also vinca( periwinkles) cascade.. Ohh and the Dew plant absolutely is heat drought tolerant.. and has pretty blooms too that continue to bloom spring thru fall!, If you want something somewhat bushy you can grow Dahlia in the larger containers that will also bloom thru summer and fall.. or even Sun flowers or black eyed susans,,,, There are soooo many to choice from, ,, I'm sure you'll get a lot of suggestions!!!

i am not much into annuals either, but i still do love lantana....maybe a big pot of that?

many annuals self seed so they are like perennials for example. Portulaca if you need anything low growing, or for 24 to 30 inches there is celosia. Both can just be sprinkled in a pot in summer and they will do the rest themselves with little help.