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I need some ideas on what to plant in my flower bed directly in front of my new porch railings.
September 21st, 2006
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Full question:
I need some ideas on what to plant in my flower bed directly in front of my new porch railings. I am not good with choosing what plants or flowers go together. A site on the internet advised against planting too many different types of unique species of plants because they will compete with each other and look odd. Facing the front center of my house is a small row of Crotons, to the left is a row of Hydrangea (not in bloom of course) and nothing to the right of the porch yet. Although I love both types of plants I don’t want to continue either one of them across the porch. I would like something that looks pretty all year long, doesn’t vine all over the place and won’t look strange with the Crotons because they are so colorful. My husband suggests that we continue the Crotons and put smaller plants in front of them but I think it would be too much of the same ‘look’.
The front of my house gets the morning sun so it’s perfect for just about anything. The flower bed is filled with colorful river rock now with landscaping cloth underneath. I did plant two little hibiscus plants in the corner but that’s all there is. I love all flowers and plants and Florida’s winters aren’t bad so just about anything will grow I guess.
My answer:
For the 6 years that I lived on the east coast of Florida, I tried lots-o-plants to see what would grow best there. I am guessing, by the description you gave of what you’d like, you’ll want stuff that you can plant once and then just maintain…meaning you aren’t looking for “annuals”. So, here are a couple of suggestion for Zone 9, which I think you are in. If not, these work in zone 8, as well:
1. Poinsettias – these grow REALLY well down there, and give year round color and great looks. Florida is the only place I have lived where they actually grow out of the ground and not just in pots. They can grow as tall as you want, or as short.
2. Gardenia – this was a shrub I had, with the most WONDERFUL smell. It blooms once a year but it is dark green foliage the rest of the time….REALLY beautiful!
3. You could add colors with lots-o-lilies. And they multiply each year.
4. I would be remiss if I didn’t suggest some “food” plants – just because certain ones do amazingly well there. I grew the absolute best cauliflower and broccoli while living there.
5. And bless Publix – they give away the tops of pineapples that they prep in the store. I stuck them in the sandy ground lining my driveway and they grew more pineapples! And when they weren’t doing that, they had that great spikey look. And blackberries and raspberries grew to be the size of my thumb! They have pricky stems though, so they aren’t so much fun to maintain. What you can’t grow there are spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths. They HAVE to have a six week cold period to survive.
Well, thanks for letting my mind wonder through my Florida gardens again.
Your Frugal Decorating Diva,
Nancy
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