One of the first things we did on returning to France was to plant-up all the pots and planters. A home isn't the same without flowers.
We usually buy old-faithful Petunias, which will normally continue flowering until the frost gets them; but for some bizarre reason we couldn't find any. Instead I bought these Impatiens (below), which are OK; but not the same. We also have several potted Geraniums that have survived the winter and recently romped; they are now flowering like crazy.
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I always go for blood red, with deep green leaves. It's the same with Roses, Geraniums, or Oleanders; I love that contrast. I'm not keen on pink or white; blood red is my baby.
We're only here for three months so no point putting in bedding plants. It's a different type of gardening, and the book is yet to be written. An opportunity for someone 'The 3 Month Garden'.
Geraniums are a hardy plant, they grow just about anywhere with very little attention. my mum always planted them everywhere we lived, along the front fence. That way, in a new neighbourhood, we kids always knew which house was ours. The one with red geraniums.
ReplyDeleteI've managed to keep mine going for about 10 years; this last year with practically no water. Now they are really growing well, and are covered in buds.
DeleteThis is definitely a challenging life, three months here and there.
ReplyDeleteWe're settled-in now, but in two months time we'll be moving on again.
DeleteI think that the red impatiens look lovely in those green pots with the ceramic phallic symbol between them.
ReplyDeleteThat lovely object is an ancient pinnacle; probably from an old Pigeon Tower.
DeleteI just love lots of colour in the garden, all mixed in together.
ReplyDeleteColour is essential. An all green garden would be very dull.
DeleteAny colour is fantastic in the garden. I love the contrast of red and green though there's a lot of brown around at the moment. Our geraniums seem to have lasted forever without much care. Much prefer red geraniums. White and pink just don't cut it
ReplyDeleteI was quite shocked when I first managed to over-winter my Geraniums. Now they must be on their 10th year. They really are beautiful.
DeleteImpatiens can be great but nothing compares to a mass of red petunias. Petunias were not available here this last summer when we looked. Must make more effort next year to find them.
ReplyDeleteWe usually have Petunias everywhere, but I think we were just a bit too late to buy any. The Impatiens compare quite well so far.
DeleteAndrew; order them ahead of time and be sure to pick them up as soon as they come in.
DeleteI love blood red flowers, too. Geraniums are particularly nice!
ReplyDeleteMy wife likes a particular Pink colour, but I try to steer clear of them.
DeleteLovely planters Cro. As an aside..Cro-Magnon was the answer to a question on a popular game show Jeopordy, last evening. I thought of you and looked it up on Google. Thank you for your blog. Cheers from Ontario Canada.
ReplyDeleteWas the question 'Who is top of the French Gendarme's Most Wanted List?'
DeleteLOL..can't remember the exact wording of the question.
ReplyDeleteGeraniums are hardy and reliable. They fill a pot nicely. Red is a classic favorite.
ReplyDeleteMine have really spread this year. They are filling their pots.
DeleteThat is a gorgeous picture with the red inpatients on the old stone work. I want to walk in the door beside them and have a good look around.
ReplyDeleteThat covered terrace is where we settle each evening for a glass of wine before supper. It's a lovely spot.
DeleteLast summer, I got some geraniums that were the brightest, deepest red I've ever had. The ones I've had were the orangey red. I loved the color so much that I gave them to my sister to overwinter. I've never had luck with that. She does it beautifully. I got them back this summer for my urns on the doorstep. They are huge and magnificent. Plus my sister got half a dozen plants from them for her front porch. The three month garden sounds like an awfully good idea.
ReplyDeleteI always take a few cuttings, and generally they take. They are very good value plants!!
DeleteI like all colors of flowers with the exception of yellow and salmon, however I agree, red is best and white is a must as well.
ReplyDeleteWe do have white flowering 'bushes', but I refuse to have white furniture in the garden.
DeleteGeraniums seem to be happiest when ignored it seems.
ReplyDelete