The Office - 2010 Annual Containers

The Office

These containers are under the windows of my client's home office. She spends a great deal of time in this room, so these are the containers she sees most of the day. Unfortunately, this is the area that gives me the most trouble. It is on the north-east side of the house and is therefore in deep shade all day. It is also half under the deck and half under the four-foot (1.2 meter) -deep eaves, so the containers are always dry. There are few plants suited to dry shade.

Originally the six containers were in an L-shape next to the house. This year I moved three of the containers out away from the house. This accomplished four things:

1) created the feeling of a larger space;

2) gave some of the containers exposure to rain and a fraction of sunlight;

3) made the shorter containers more visible from inside the office (previously they could only be seen by standing directly at the window and looking down); and

4) brought color further out into the shade garden.

May 25, 2010 - Week One

May 25, 2010 - Week One

Plant List

Begonia 'Non-Stop Mocha Yellow'

Alternanthera 'Brazillian Red Hots'

Pachysandra 'Green Carpet'

They looked lovely for about two months; then everything was shaded out - only the Pachysandra hung on. So, The Office - Take Two.

July 28, 2010 - Week Ten

Plant List

Begonia 'Rex'

Pachysandra 'Green Carpet'

The Pachysandra was saved from the first go-around. The Rex Begonia seems to be well-suited for the shade. They had a few flowers when I bought them, but they stopped blooming not long after planting. But that's ok, I purchased them for their showy foliage. Sadly, they deer appreciated them also. I couldn't believe that the deer ate them! I thought they wouldn't eat a waxy, fuzzy somewhat sharp leaf. But they apparently decided it was worth the risk. *sigh* Thankfully, the Begonia recovered with a little time and TLC, although not quite as lush.

In the fall I moved the containers back to their L-shape to protect them from snow. The Pachysandra was planted around the containers. The area is always a little empty thanks to the shade and lack of water, so I'm eager to see how the Pachysandra will do.