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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Places, Dahling! Places!!

As I sit to type, our weekend forecast rolls about my brain like marbles in a washer. High of 55, low of 40 - possible rain. The columbine that bloomed til October and several clumps of pincushion flowers and daylilies have refused to go dormant, their foliage green in protest. Every winter I watch with relief as the garden turns a dull brown and recedes into the earth. I turn towards other interests and dream of spring. But not this year. My mind spins and churns, denying a season that only pretends authority, an unconvincing tease.

Restless, I mentally redesign my container gardens and shop for discount pots. I torture myself with virtual planting combinations, frustrated at the prospect of buying plants that might be underwhelming. I want container garden certainty if I can't have snow and have decided I'd like to stage a dress rehersal for summer.

Instead of shopping from my favorite online nurseries or running to the local garden center after work, I want them all to come to me. I'll line up my pots, explain the "look" I'd like, and have them bring me their wares. Like choosing actors for a part, I'll match the plants to the pots and have them recite a few lines. Does the 'Karley Rose' pennisetum look as grand in my "Oops, there's a scratch" discount urn as I thought or would Karley be better suited as a member of the corps, instead of given a starring role? And what about the lemon verbena? Will it be tall enough to grow behind the 'Maraschino' salvia without being blocked? I just don't know so you, you, and you over there while we give it a try. Cueing summer! Lights, please!

I'll stand back, stroke my chin thoughtfully, and watch as the dress rehersal unfolds. Several will be given roles, but most will not. I'll pay for the chosen few and watch as they're packed up and labeled Casa Mariposa, ready to perform when the curtain finally goes up.


I found this urn at our local big box home improvement store in late December. This scratch shaved $40 off the price. Since the back of the urn will be facing a corner, no one will see it.


I'm auditioning 'Karley Rose' pennisetum for the role of Lady in the Urn for the Summer 2012 production of In the Garden. 


25 comments:

  1. It should be a wonderful arrangement!
    I love unperfect things. One of my favorites is a bottomless container, and I grow hydrangea in it.

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  2. What a great steal you got with the scratched urn. No one will ever see the flaw, and from the front and sides it looks perfect. Auditions to fill it will be fun!

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  3. Casa Mariposa, this is a great urn. I can imagine that it will look very nice with the grass planted in it. Here in Southern California, we never get a winter break as a matter of fact it is planting and rose pruning season right now all at once. So my head is spinning, too, but that normal here in January. Still can't wait for spring to arrive!
    Christina

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  4. Love that urn. I do love finding a good deal and a pot with a scratch on it can easily be hidden. I think the grass will be a perfect complement.

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  5. Oh I do this too! But my pots aren't exciting looking, and everything ends up a big mess anyway! The urn you posted is very pretty and will look very nice with the Karley Rose.

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  6. I think Karley Rose is a great pennisetum. Have thought about having it in my garden....fond of pink-ish seedheads. Love that container, good move on the bargain discount because of a flaw that can be turned to the back. Can't wait to see the outcome.

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  7. We seem to be having the same weather on this side of the pond, the garden just won't go to sleep. Love the urn though.

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  8. Love the urn, and love the 'Karley Rose' is beautiful! They will look wonderful together! A standing ovation! Bravo!

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  9. Ooo, Marley's Rose looks like a beauty!

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  10. Sorry, I meant Karley. My Kindle thought I wanted to say Marley!

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  11. I think plants may be like dogs and children - No matter how many rehearsals you have, they always surprise you when they get centre stage.

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  12. 'Karley Rose' is a GREAT grass! I got it a year ago in the fall as this pitiful little one-gallon plant. I didn't know exactly where I wanted to plant it, so I just plopped it in the ground and told it to hang on till spring when I had my plan worked out in my head. Then we got a foot of snow (rare for these parts), and then we got record cold. Spring came, I transplanted the grass to its new home, and it grew like gangbusters...all the way through our record-breaking heat and drought. I am so impressed with that grass. My only thing with putting it in the pot...are the plumes too pink for the bottom color of the pot? Just me...I have this thing about color. Great grass, great pot; just not sure if I like to two together (don't hate me!). Have you ever read Pamela Crawford's container book?? Excellent container combinations -- they work!

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  13. Hi Tammi, If only gardening worked like that-places dahling. Wouldn't life be so much simpler? But then it might not be as fun. Great deal on the urn. It's a beauty!

    P.S. Louisiana irises definitely have s spot in the new water garden. Thanks!

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  14. That is a lovely container...and nobody will ever see the scratch. I am a big fan of these kinds of finds...excellent!

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  15. Beautiful urn. Although I haven't done containers in a few years I used to like going to the nursery in spring and making little piles all over (probably annoyed the heck out of the staff). Carting colours and shapes from all over. placing them together, discarding ones, adding new ones. It took ages and I left a mess behind no doubt but it was always a fun ritual, like making a painting trying to create something new and exciting.

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  16. Ooooo, I like it! That urn will be gorgeous with the flowing Karley Rose spilling out of it! Lucky you to skip winter! We're in the depths of it here in Wisconsin, but milder temps are coming back next week. Yippee!

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  17. I know what you mean... When a season doesn't come and go as it is "supposed" to, it throws us for a loop, doesn't it? Karley Rose is beautiful and I'm putting it on my to-buy list for sure.

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  18. I do the exact same thing, but unlike you, I can never seem to get it right, for some reason, come spring nothing looks as I imagined it in winter... I wish you luck, the urn is certainly beautiful, and a bargain too.

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  19. I so know what you mean! We've been consistently in the 70's lately...I'm getting lots of gardening done and lots of dreaming too. Sometimes I just sit and enjoy it. It's so nice right now to see it happy and peaceful after those crazy, hot days of summer. I'm actually dreaming up a new little sitting area in the sun to use during the winter months. All the seating areas are shaded. I love your scratch and dent urn...those kinds of deals just make you giddy, don't they?!

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  20. Oh, if only such dress rehearsals were possible! It would certainly minimise the moving around I always wind up doing, as I learn what grows to what height in my garden, as compared to what the books and catalogues claim. I know what you mean about the lack of a "true" winter being unsettling too, I love the pause that snow and frost usually provide, and have missed them this year, in my case because the milder weather means no excuses for not getting out and doing, apart from lack of energy, that is. Good luck with your auditions!!

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  21. What a great deal on the urn. I think Karley will look wonderful in it. I know what you mean about dreaming of summer. It can't get here soon enough. Great post!

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  22. The urn is gorgeous and I can see the Karley spilling over it and also towering above it! I echo Cat...we've not had much winter here...at all. So that just makes us feel like...OK...it's warm out, we should be planting "something"! But Ha...winter is NOT over! Great, imaginative post! I wish mine were so thoughtful and fun :/

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  23. 'Karley Rose' looks like it would cascade nicely from your urn ( nice urn by the way). I have the worst luck with containers. As a casting director, I tend to get fixated on a pretty face and forget to check film credits to make sure I am getting real talent. This year I am determined to do better!

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