Hi GPODers!

After two sunny days in Lee’s garden (check out Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them), we’re sticking to summer this week and enjoying some sensational peak-season containers from Leslie Ornelas in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Leslie first shared her garden over 10 years ago (check out those submissions here: Leslie’s Garden in Colorado Springs, More from Leslie’s Garden in Coloradoand Leslie’s Garden in Colorado: Revisited), and she’s finally back to share a little bit of what she’s been up to in the garden since then.

It’s been quite a few years since my last submission, while I’ve enjoyed others’ gardens on GPOD.

I recently made a presentation while applying for the Master Gardener program here in Colorado Springs; my topic, Passion for Pots, may be a good submission to GPOD.

Gardening in Colorado is always a challenge, dealing with late/early freezes, desiccating winds, semi-arid conditions, and the dreaded H-word—HAIL. Yet gardeners are a hearty and stubborn ilk, not easily dissuaded from our passion for growing and immersing ourselves in nature.

Container planting is a favorite creative outlet of mine, given the flexibility of growing a vast variety of plants in ever-changing combinations. Especially exciting is experimenting with new designs each year, as well as repeating successful mixes.

Over the years, foliage has become the foundation of most plantings. Flowers are always enchanting, yet interesting foliage plants, especially coleus, ensure consistent beauty throughout the season. Along with grasses, which fare well through bouts of hail, perennials such as hostas and heucheras are great container choices.

Highlighting the containers are pedestals I’ve created with Mexican tiles over terra-cotta chimney liners. Raising pots to varying heights adds another level of interest.

Container planting is an excellent jumping-off point for beginners to gardening, and an ongoing joy for experienced growers. Hope you enjoy my pots through the years!

It’s hard to imagine the challenging growing conditions Leslie describes when looking at the container abundance we see in this display. Each corner of this deck is covered in bright blooms and the eye-catching foliage that she mentioned in her introduction.

When your containers are as creative as Leslie’s, a plain pedestal will not do. Colorful tiles add even more interest to her spaces and play off of the colors she plants above.

With foliage this colorful, who needs flowers? The purple shamrock (Oxalis triangularisZones 8–11 or as an annual), chartreuse sweet potato vine (Ipomoea potatoesZones 9–11 or as an annual), and two tie-dye coleus in this container grouping are so vibrant that the pink geraniums to the right almost fade into the background.

Leslie’s combinations are fabulous from afar and just as exciting in the close-up. Variegated flowering maple (Abutilon painted ‘Thompsonii’, Zones 8–11 or as an annual) is a thrilling plant in isolation, with the sweetest bell-shaped blooms and incredible speckled foliage, but it’s made even more impressive with a coordinating coleus.

As we saw above, Leslie can create some marvelous purple plantings. This perfect purple-and-green design features: Graceful Grasses^® Prince Tut™ dwarf Egyptian papyrus (Cyperus papyrus ‘Prince Tut’, Zones 10–11 or as an annual), purple petunias, ‘Blackie’ sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’, Zone 11 or as an annual), and a really cool water feature that adds a little extra height and pizzazz.

Another stunning purple combo: This one swaps the Prince Tut™ grass for purple fountain grass and a darker purple petunia, showcasing how even subtle changes can give a container a completely new vibe.

As we’ve seen in all of Leslie’s designs, she has a knack for combining specimens that spill, trail, and entirely cover each pot in plant interest. If it weren’t for the pavers and tiny corner of the planter that can be seen, this grouping could give the illusion that it was growing right out of the ground.

It’s more proof of the power of foliage, including the contrast and diversity that can be achieved with the right plants. Chartreuse sweet potato vine, purple fountain grass, coleus, and Tropicanna^® canna (Canna ‘Phasion’, Zones 7–11) explode from all sides of this packed pot.

Lastly, a simple trio that plays with dark and light: ‘Angel Wings’ senecio (Whitening in old age ‘Senaw’, Zones 8–11 or as an annual), Bright Lights™ Horizon™ Sunset African daisy (Osteospermum ‘DANOSTICAUR’, Zone 9–11 or as an annual), and a dark ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea cvs., Zones 7–11).

And also, just like our good friend Lee, Leslie sent in so many amazing photos of her different container designs that I could not narrow it down to just one post. Tomorrow we will return to Colorado Springs to see more of the resilient and ravishing containers she has created.

We want to see YOUR garden!

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5–10 photos to (email protected) along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

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Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Veradek Corten Steel Series Cube Planter

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The Square Metal Planter is built from thick-gauge corten steel that naturally develops a rust patina for a modern rustic look. Measuring 22″ tall by 21″ wide, it includes drainage holes, optional plugs, and styrofoam insulation for year-round use. Delivered flat with hardware and instructions, it assembles easily and is designed to withstand temperatures from -20 to 120 degrees, making it a durable and stylish choice for any outdoor space.

Gilmour 5/8″ x 25′ Round Weeper Soaker Hose

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Lightweight garden hose is made of 100% recycled vinyl for clog resistant, consistent soaking in the garden or around foundations. Can be installed above or below ground to efficiently deliver water directly to plant roots. Can be linked with other hoses to create your own DIY garden drip irrigation system, and is flexible for easy storage and space saving.

Wagner’s 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag

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Classic wild bird food uses the highest quality grains to attract backyard wild Birds. A high-quality mix containing Millet, milo, cracked corn and Sunflower for a wide range of wild birds to enjoy. Perfect for tube, hopper, or platform feeders. Great to feed in all seasons! Perfect for the winter, when seeds are scarce; spring and summer for hatchlings; and autumn to give energy to migrating birds. This seed will help you fill your yard with birds such as Jays, cardinals, doves, Juncos, finches, goosebeaks, any many more.