What else grows well in Phoenix Becky? This year it seems I need to pretend that's where I live. Even my poor indestructible double knockouts are showing stress and it's only early July.

Is it because of the humidity along with the heat Debbie?
I love your Lantana. I have never had much luck with it here. Our nights are so cool, about the time they finally start taking off the cold weather arrives. : (

Debbie your containers are amazing. Very inspirational; I guess I'm falling behind with the thrift store finds!

I'm not sure Lynn. I keep a spreadsheet on the weather, temps, etc since 2008, I believe and it's never been this hot. The humidity has always been high here. But the blazing sun and wafts of heat are staggering. I want to get out there and rearrange some of my plants, to get them into the afternoon shade part of my garden, but if I don't get outside before 8 am, I can't work for very long. That's why I'm enjoying the small planters with the semps and things. I can bring it all inside to my shop to put it together. I was afraid that they would all object to these temps, but so far, they act like they love.

Thank you Blue, your website is inspiring to me. I so wish you could ship to us.

Debbie, we can grow a lot here but need to make sure it's heat friendly. Visit the Southwest Gardening forum to see lots of photos including gorgeous cactus blooms.

We CAN'T grow hostas...I tried.

And we search for shay pockets in our garden to move containers into during the worst of the summer but by Fall we are all happy dancing because it's a new season. We only have about 2 cold months and sometimes have freezes so everyone covers their plants with sheets and plant protector paper.It's funny looking but it works.



This was in an area in one of my houses that got morning and afternoon sun until 2:00. I had just moved into the house....the ground was completely covered by the end of summer with beautiful blooms.

I love that little bench Becky.
What is the plant to the left of the bench, with the purple flowers?

I found the bench as I was driving down the street...left out for bulk trash pickup.

The purple is a potato vine and you should have seen it when I got it established. It was a giant, the leaves were huge and full of blooms. I'll see if I can find a photo of this are later.

It's a potato vine? It looks almost like a woody stems plant. Would love to see a close up of it Becky.

Lynn, here is a closer photo of the Potato Vine


And here is the area 9 months later. We didn't have but one freeze that winter and I protected everything...so it grew! The potato is in the back...the taller plant.



Almost everything in this photo is in a container...even the bougainvillea.

haha you asked and received!

Just beautiful Becky.

Everything is beautiful Becky. We gardeners are a strange bunch. I can just see you stopping and picking up that bench (love it by the way). I would have never done that before I started gardening. But now, well let's just say, if you want it, you better not put it close to the road or it becomes one of my containers.

Isn't that the truth, Debbie?
I see old cowboy boots and they look like planters to me now.

can't wait to see all your wonderful creations!!!

Have you clicked on Becky's links? She has wonderful garden art ideas over in her forum.

Thanks, Lynn.

I hope a lot of creative members will get over there and post...I don't want to just fill it with my stuff. But we are a brand new forum so it may take time.

On my way over Becky. Not sure if my found items are what you would call Garden Art. You be the judge.
See the rest of you over there. Show us what you have as garden art.

Thanks Lynn! I'll hire you as a promoter!

YES...THAT indeed is garden art. Anything fun that isn't a plant....even the chairs you all posted here. I don't mind cross posting at all....