As the saying goes "when you play you pay".

Such is life...

Go on holiday for two weeks & your container plants suffer.

The price - a trip to the nursery & an afternoon of gardening.

A price I am more than willing to pay.

Drought Tolerant Container Garden

Being the end of the summer & drought conditions here, I chose carefully.

Hardy, low water needs, and fitting for the change of season.

I do love picking out plants for container gardens.

It is like putting to together an outfit.

The plants have to suit the same weather & conditions.  You wouldn't pair a wool sweater with a bikini bottom.

The combination has to look great. Each plant complimenting the other.  Just like a dress & shoes need to work together to create a look ~ Converse with a cocktail dress, not so much.

The container itself has to make it all come together like the accessories of an outfit.

Ok, let's put this outfit, I mean container garden, together!

 I chose:

• English Lavender

• Kalanchoe Beauvardii

• Graptoveria Coconut Ice

• Polka Dot plant

English Lavender is perennial herb that grows like a small shrub.  It bears lilac blue flowers on spiky stems.  The leaves are grey/greenish in color and narrow. Sandy soil, full sun and little water are required for best growth.  

Kalanchoe Beauvardii is  a succulent with fleshy green leaves subtly tipped with pink. It blooms with clusters of tubular flowers.  Full sun, sandy soil & light moisture, letting dry out between watering.

Graptoveria Coconut Ice is a succulent with green/silver wavy leaves edged in pink.  The leaves form a rosette.  Full sun, sandy soil & light moisture, letting dry out between watering.

Polka Dot Plant is an annual that likes full sun & needs only moderate water.  It has striking foliage that compliments the sage green & tinge of pink of the Kalanchoe & Graptoveria.  I only added a 6 pack of this plant, so if it needs to be replaced as the months go by it is easy to do.  

As always, I made sure there is adequate drainage in my container, added in my three secrets & mulched.  My mulch of choice for containers is Spanish Moss.

I love how it fills in, softens the edges, adds more texture & keeps the plants protected ~ kinda like a scarf.  See I told you this was like putting together an outfit!

All the plants I chose require low water once established and are low maintenance as well.  In case another trip comes up!

I am really loving the soft colors & textures of this container garden.  Hope you do too!

Pin it so you have the plant names handy ~ they can be tricky to remember.

To learn more about drought tolerant plants & how to help make a plant drought tolerant read here.

** Kelly **