Money Growing on Trees

Closeup of Eucalyptus "Silver Dollar"

Well, not real money.  This is Eucalyptus "Silver Dollar" and it actually does grow as big as a tree, if you let it (and if you live in a warm enough climate--which I don't).

Silver Dollar is an annual in my zone but it can be overwintered indoors (I haven't tried it yet).  It's native to Australia and likes part shade to full sun.  It is drought tolerant, in fact, take care not to over water it or you'll end up with an unpleasant case of root rot.  Mine was a little slow to get going in my pot but once it did, it grew fast.  It's branched out all over the place and is about 3 feet high now.  In tree form, it can grow as tall as 50 feet and as wide as 40 feet. 

This eucalyptus is very fragrant and the oil in the leaves repels insects.  That alone is reason enough to have one in my garden every year.

Eucalyptus "Silver Dollar"

Bookshelf:  Container Gardening Books

Two Red Peppers

Bell Pepper "Red Beauty"

I grew two types of red peppers this year: one hot; one not.  I'll talk about the one that's not first.  It's called Bell Pepper "Red Beauty."  I bought it as a very small plant rather than growing it from seed.  I planted it in mid-May and it started producing about a month ago.  But you should know that first the peppers are green and then they turn red.  It's perfectly fine to eat them when they're green, but I think they get sweeter once they turn red so I wait.  And these peppers are very sweet (they have 0 Scoville units, remember Scoville units?)  Red Beauty is an annual that requires full sun, grows to about 24" high, and the pepper is about 4-6 inches from top to bottom. 

Serrano hot pepper

The second red pepper I grew is the Serrano.  And it's hot.  Like Red Beauty, it starts out green and you can use it then if you want.  I mostly use serrano when I make salsa.  Full sun for these as well.

Neither of these peppers has been bothered by pests this year and they demand nothing in the way of maintenance.  Also, I like to plant them with other things in one container.  For example, I have my serrano planted in a container with basil.  Neither has seemed bothered by being paired together. 

Bookshelf:  Container Gardening Books

True to Its Name (Sort of)



Butterfly visiting Butterfly Bush "Royal Red"



This is a new butterfly bush that I planted this year.  Yes, it's true, it does attract butterflies as you can see in this terrific shot (photo credit goes to my husband--thanks hubs).  But here's the name of this butterfly bush:  Royal Red.  Hmmmm.  Looks purple to me--not just in this photo but also in real life.  Well, I'm not one to quibble.  Red, purple, whatever.  I'm just glad the butterflies are coming around.

Butterfly Bush "Royal Red"

Royal Red likes full sun, will grow up to 6 feet high (maybe not as high if in a container--we'll see), and is hardy to zone 5.  I don't have it in a very large pot so I expect to have to replant it as early as next year.  I was just short on pots this year so I had to make do.

Bookshelf:  Container Gardening Books

Worker Bee

Busy Bee

The bees have been pretty busy in my garden this year.  I try to do everything I can to welcome them.  Here's a list of things to do that are helpful in attracting bees:

• Don't use pesticides
• Plant native plants
• Plant a variety of colors and flower shapes
• Try to have something blooming every season
• Plant in sunny spots
• Plant in masses when possible

Here's one of my garden visitors who has taken a particular liking to my Calibrachoa "Double Pink".  It's a low growing annual that blooms profusely from spring until fall.  This is the first year I've seen Calibrachoa that's double flowered.  Cool.  And what's cooler still is it required no maintenance.   You read that right:  No deadheading, no fertilizing, no moving it to the shady spots when it's 100F here in northern Virginia.  The bees and I are in agreement:  We love it.

Bookshelf:  Container Gardening Books

Another Hydrangea in the Collection



Hydrangea Serrata Preziosa



This is Hydrangea Serrata Preziosa.  It's the second year that I've had it and it's had a wonderful season so far.  While it's similar to a mophead hydrangea, the flower clusters are slightly smaller. What I like most about it is the way it changes color.  When it first bloomed in late May, it was a very light pink, and now it is a deeper burgundy.

I have this hydrangea planted alone in a terra cotta pot that's about 19 inches in diameter.  During these sweltering few days that we've had, I've had to completely soak it every day. It likes full to part sun, is hardy to zone 5, and grows to about 4 feet.  Also, it blooms on old wood so be careful about pruning--only cut spent flowers or damaged stems.

This is the third hydrangea in my container garden collection.  It joins my Endless Summer and Pee Wee Oakleaf. 

Hydrangea Serrata Preziosa in May 2012

Bookshelf:  Container Gardening Books

Hydrangea Serrata Preziosa in July 2012

What's Up Doc?

Carrot "Tonda Di Parigi"

I bought carrot seeds last year that I never got around to planting so I planted them in May of this year.  This particular carrot is called "Carrot Tonda di Parigi."  I bought the seed packet online from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company.  This is a 19th-century Parisian heirloom carrot that only grows to about 2".  I harvested these a little early because I couldn't stand the suspense.  They still tasted fantastic.  They were very sweet and nothing like the bland, watery carrots that I always seem to get from the grocery store. 

So this type of carrot seed can be planted in 2-3 week intervals all the way up to the first heavy frost.  And because they are short and stubby, a deep pot is not really required.  It takes about 60 days for the carrot to reach maturity.

Bookshelf:  Container Gardening Books

And Now For a Little Texture

This is Astilbe.  I've written about it before but I want to emphasize that it's a great way to add some interesting texture to your garden.  And talk about low maintenance.  It asks for no special treatment.  I inherited it from a fellow gardener two years ago when it was just a little stub of a thing.  I planted it in a pot that's about 19" in diameter and now it's huge.  I'm sure I'll have to divide it next spring.  Astilbe comes in lots of different colors--you'll find it in white, red, and various shades of pink and purple.  It is hardy to zone 4 and likes part sun.  It can tolerate full sun (mine does) as long as it's not the scorching afternoon sun.  And finally (drumroll please), it's virtually PEST FREE!  Actually, it's completely pest free in my container garden but I don't want to make that guarantee for everyone.

Bookshelf:  Container Gardening Books