With Foliage Like This, Who Needs Flowers?

For me 2013 is the year of the foliage containers. I have little time this year to deadhead flowers, so I went with plants that do not need much attention.  Hubby waters them daily and I sit and enjoy them when I get home from work. Not a bad deal at all! :)

Look how colorful this container is without a single flower!

Unfortunately I just noticed that some bugs are making holes in everything--I hate that!

 

I have used a lot of coleus this year. .

This nearly 100% lime green hanging basket is flanked by two more colorful baskets on each side.

 

I have used 'fireworks' grass in a few of my containers for the past two years. 

I am not happy with this grass.  I love the striped pink/green color, but it stays very small.  I think I will go back to Purple Fountain Grass next year.

You may have noticed a few yellow flowers down the sidewalk in the pic above. 

Last year I made a note to remove everything from my under the front-window garden and plant callas and Tropicannas in there in 2013.  DH and I spent a few hours one morning removing everything and I replanted with yellow callas and Tropicannas. I expected at least a dozen yellow calla blooms.

So far I only have a few and the Tropicanna leaves are not nearly as large as I expected them to be in late July.  I am sure it is due the very cold spring weather we had.  Even so I still like this area. Speaking of cold, it is 45 degrees right now (6:30 am). It may be a record low for this date. After the HOT HUMID weather we had a week ago, I am not complaining!

 

This planter has the still unidentified dark purple/black leathery foliage plant. I am liking this combo and will show you more when the Tropicanna blooms.

This is another of my favorite combos this year--you may remember in late spring I dug up that Heuchera from the garden to use here. 

I have also dug up some toad lilies from the garden to use in a few planters (the dark green foliage).  I wanted them in a place where their tiny exotic flowers could be appreciated.  I can't wait to show you those when they all bloom.

 

Gotta get to work now.  We have a huge convention group arriving at the hotel today--the largest group we have ever had in our small town.  It should be fun!

 

Have a great hump day!