I retired early due to health issues. I have a decent sized garden, but have had to cut back to patio pot gardening. I just mow the grass and plant morning glories along the fences. The rest are in pots. I will be starting the seedlings indoors in February/March. The photos show how I set them out.

Welcome, DrK. Your pots look well cared for and they're easier to tend than full fledged gardens that seem to magically get larger over time.

Enjoy all ATP has to offer and remember to look at the Coleus Forum. There are many coleus lovers here.
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

Welcome to ATP. We're happy to have you.

Karen

sorry I am slacking giving you .. your welcome.. busy time for us..great looking plants!!!

Hi DrK

I grow all my Coleus in pots as well.

Great to see you DrK.
I just found this forum. I also use coleus in planters on the deck. I just finished my 2015 order to RosyDawn for a late May delivery.
I combine the coleus with other annuals. This is my winter project.

always love seeing your combos JoAnn

Hi Allison: I am waiting to begin the planting.
Groundhog Day is when I become impatient to see any signs of spring. Four months seems so far off.
I am planing more blooms this year. Coleus will be part of the scene ,but blooms will dominate.
The Woodpile Garden will be all coleus and a few Torenias.
Siggggggh.

What kind of blooms, Joanne? I'm always looking for ideas

Karen

Hi Karen: I got stuck on Calibrichoas. We dont have much luck with petunias. Calibricoas fill and spill nicely, also Verbinas and Ivey Geraniums.
I saw a photo of an Italian Courtyard with balconies and standing planters dripping with blooms and wondered if I could achieve that look on our deck.
I posted these combos on the Container forum I think, but here are some for 2015

Beautiful. I thought about trying some of the calibrachoa from seed this year, but ended up not ordering them...

Karen

Seed starting takes too much patience plus I am not situated for space for lights and trays etc. I save all winter so I can afford to buy plants. Thats why I chose Cali's. They give a big bang for the buck.
I am still looking for the original inspiration.
Here are a couple of images.






Our large deck. Its hard to create a intimate space here.Easier to divide the space into two areas.
Area 1 by kitchen door

Area 2 I call the back deck




Its so desolate out there now. I forgot how July looks.

Gorgeous flowers, Jo Ann! Especially love that first photo.

Beautiful!

Karen

they are nice combos JoAnn.. love seeing what you put together.. I too love calis.. garden harvest supply has some nice ones every year

Calies dont drop blooms as some other plants do. I have fought deck stains from blooms for years, petunias just dont thrill me I cant explain why.

yes they can be messy

I love petunias, but they can be messy on a deck.


Karen

Here is a thread I started of the messiest annuals I have had experiences with.
The thread "List of messy annuals" in Annuals forum

Welcome to the forum! I love coleus too. Most of mine are in pots outside and then I save cuttings each winter to use the next year. Here is one planting from last summer.