Potted

As I have mentioned, my flower beds are filled with perennial plants.  I have reached the point where the only annuals that I buy are for my flower box, the hanging baskets and flower pots.  Most perennials only bloom once during the season, so the annuals provide color all summer long.

A couple days ago, after trips to various nurseries, I finished filling the flower pots.  I set them out on my patios.  I have three patios... one behind the dining room, another behind my bedroom, and a third out back by the storage garage.  I have several dozen flower pots.

Here is a picture of the back patio.

There is a wide variety of flowers... petunias, snapdragons, miniature dahlias, verbena, lantana and others.  There are also a couple tropical foliage plants... an elephant ear and a caladium.  In the center is a large plant, almost like a small tree.  It is something I found at the nursery, and which I have never had before... an oleander.   A couple years ago when I was in Valencia, Spain, I saw a lot of oleanders.  They grow as huge perennials in that climate.  They were gorgeous, and when I saw one at a local garden center, I decided to give it a try.

This oleander has pink flowers.  The plant has loads of buds, so it should be quite spectacular when it is in full bloom.  Come autumn, I am going to bring it inside, and see how well it does as a house plant.

Speaking of house plants, I also take out some of my indoor plants during the summer.  So far the only one that is out on the patio is this rubber tree plant.

I have had this plant for many years, and it has grown into a monster.  (Of course, it is not as big as the ones I see in Mexico City, where they literally grow into trees.)   It began as a small plant, but now, in its pot, it stands over five feet tall.  It always seems to enjoy being outdoors in a fairly shady corner of the back patio.  It sprouts new leaves, and adds another couple inches each summer.  It is no longer possible to carry it out.  I can't even haul it on a dolly.  I literally have to drag it across the back yard.