A CAREFREE CONTAINER FOR THE COOL SEASON

It’s a challenge to create an exciting mixed container planting with flowers that can withstand the large temperature fluctuations as it is here in Texas at this time of year. You can wear a bikini at noon, but the grass can still be frost in the grass the next morning.

And yes I am running in and out morning and night, covering up or uncovering the tropical palms bought in a moment of weakness and in the excitement of living somewhere you can actually grow tropicals. Not just keeping them alive.

But the plants in this container does not need to worry me a second. Its Variegated Giant Liriope (Liriope gigantea “Variagata”), Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus “sprengeri”) and a pot of Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger).

I went for a monochrome look where I would emphasize texture as the main theme. But there is nothing wrong with using white, red, “black” or pink Christmas roses either.

All the three types of plants are pretty easy to find in stores here at this time of year.