Sunday, May 25, 2008

What's Not to Like?

My friend Barbara detests coleus, in all its forms. She despises it with a vigor and passion most people reserve only for beets and brussels sprouts. Myself, I incorporate it into my containers not because I have any particular love for it but because it is such a convenient filler. I've generally been ambivalent where coleus is concerned. But I really began to rally around it, to champion its cause when I learned how much Barbara disliked it. I even went so far as to send her a link on Amazon to a book that was devoted exclusively to coleus. She laughed.

But I'm going to take one more stab at swaying her opinion by introducing her to a type of coleus I discovered today called 'Fishnet Stockings'. You've got to love that name. And the colors: a deep, deep purple and a lime-y green. The combination of colors could not be more perfect. What a great companion for all manner of containers including the all-foliage one I planted today. This terra cotta pot is about 16 inches in diameter and in it I planted the following: Coleus 'Fishnet Stockings' (1); Creeping Jenny (1); Sweet Potato Vine 'Margarita' (2); Thyme 'Hi Ho Silver' (2); Japanese Silver Grass (1); Purple Sage (1); Ajuga (Bugleweed) (1).











Fishnet Stockings.....what's not to like?

Bookshelf: Container Gardening Books
at

3 comments:

  1. jamesd3rdMay 28, 2008 at 12:37 AM

    High fives for hating beets and brussel sprouts!!!!

    I missed the last few entries so I had to catch up. After reading, I'm convinced I can't write worth beans.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My ChiMay 31, 2008 at 9:13 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My ChiMay 31, 2008 at 9:18 AM

    Yes, I detest coleus, in all its forms. :-) I need to look at "Fishnet Stockings" in person before I make my final determination, but I wouldn't hold out much hope. I can't really explain my dislike, except to say that coleus is just so garish. It's like the kitsch of the garden. And of course, it's rather ironic that I adore beets and brussels sprouts! :-)

    Love the blog, and am enjoying reading all of your posts. I got out in my garden last week and planted some of my containers. My new favorite shade plant is torenia. Perfect color for my dark front porch!

    ReplyDelete

How to tell me what's on your mind:

1) Type your comment in the box below.

2) In the "Word Verification" box, type in the squiggly letters that you see just above it. The reason this is here is to reduce the amount of spam received.

3) Choose your identity. The two easiest options are to either click the Name/URL button and then type your name in the "Name" box, leaving the URL box empty OR you can just click the Anonymous button.

4) Click the box labeled "Publish Your Comment" and you're done!