I generally don't get into 'plans', but instead grow what I like and then arrange things later on.

Something I very much like as a center point in larger containers (18"+)is Jester Millet. I have never seen it in stores, but seeds can be ordered from Johnnys and other places.

It is somewhat similar to purple millet which has been around awhile, but instead of a single stalk it makes a clump of stalks. It may start out green, then go chartreuse, but before long it ends up in shades of purple.

It doesn't seem fussy about water and handles dry conditions well. It is 2-3ft tall and the base of the clump is around 8" in diameter and perhaps 18-30" spread on top.

I have grown it with marigolds, petunia, vinca, gaillardia, sweet potato vine and whatever else. It all works. The nice thing about millets is that they are at least 3 season displays, but may even last as dry stalks for much of the winter.

My containers plans for 2009

1) don't expect too much :)
2) 3 30gallon home made SWC's
3) 8 18gallon home made SWC's
4) 10 12x 18 traditional containers
5) 1 36"tall x 9"wide homemade strawberry tree.
6) grow it.
7) eat it.

I live in FL and have already started my garden. I planted things around the middle of December and had to cover them twice, but should be in the clear for the duration.

I have a local nursery that has all the black pots I could want for free. If placed strategically, the fact that theyre black wont be an issue. This is my first year doing a garden, but I went head first into it, and enjoy every minute of it.

Anyhow,

Here is the lineup...
Peppers:
4 Red/Green Bells (2 in SWCs)
1 Yellow Bell
1 Chocolate Bell
3 Variety Bells
4 Sweet Banana (2 in SWCs)
4 Jalapeno (2 in SWCs)
4 Serrano (2 in SWCs)
4 Cayenne (2 in SWCs)
4 Habanero (2 in SWCs)

Tomatoes:
4 Cherry (2 in SWCs)
4 Beefsteak (2 in SWCs)
3 Sweet
1 Mr Stripey
3 Brandywine
3 Yellow Boy
Awaiting seed packets for:
Green Zebra
Old German
Ananas Noire
Aunt Ruby's German Cherry

2 Beans (Going to plant 2 more)
2 Okra (Going to plant 2 more)
3 Celery
4 Onions
4 Romaine
2 Spinach
4 Broccoli
4 Cauliflower
3 Watermelon
3 Cantaloupe
2 Basil
2 Cilantro
2 Oregano
2 Parsley
2 Rosemary
2 Different types of corn. (just planted yesterday).

Looking forward to homemade from scratch chili, spaghetti sauce and salsa.

I probably forgot a few things, but it's late and my mind isn't functioning properly.

Here's a succulent container I planted late last summer. You can't see them all in this photo, but there are 9 species in here. This summer, the Aloe and the cacti should bloom.

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Hey redneck, That's a really nice looking container. I plan on making more wood containers. Things just seem to do better in them. I think Tapla says he likes them the best. filix.

redneck,

I like the beautiful succulent plants you have! I am interested in knowing more about those types of plants and am wanting to plant/grow some. I was talking to my neighbor today , who lived in California, about succulent plants. She mentioned ice plant. Do you think that it would grow in Florida? I love how they look so otherworldly, so unique, so different.

Veggie, there are a number of iceplants, and I think many would grow fine in Florida. There's an iceplant in that container above (Delosperma), but it's hidden from view in the photo, and has not begun to spill out yet.

A key to good succulent containers is soil that drains very well. Tapla would probably recommend his gritty mix. The soil in the container above is similar to Al's 5:1:1, but the materials are far coarser/larger than his standard bark mix.

To be more precise, I mean container gardens, as in ornamental, such as that of 'redneck grower.' That is exactly what I am talking about. I love the idea of succulent container gardens. Anyone have any ideas for my container idea witht the croton?

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croton, night blooming jasmine and two plants whose names I don't know. Pot is probably too crowded and may need to be split up?

sorry I don't know the names of these plants for sure, these were all from a swap..

the little variegated green is Serissa
the other's I'm not sure, but I think it was an iris and joseph's coat??

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this is some variety of a cattail grass, geranium and petunia

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no one likes my containers????

Hi leelee,
My container plants have given me the distinct impression they like your container plants - I can tell because the window pane has gotten steamed up.

lol gringojay, tell your containers hello from my container plants, they are all blushing currently.

I like them also Leelee!! Very pretty!

Redneck...I'm partial to succulents...Jades and their sports/varieties are my fav's...

Thanks for the nice pictures!!

I have found 2 websites that have excellent pictures/ideas for container plant combos. I use the pictures for reference when daydreaming about spring and summer annual combos.
The first one you can sort by season, container size, color combos, etc. which is very helpful !

http://www.provenwinners.com/combinations/

The second one shows very lush beautiful summer containers showcased in a novel way - relatively easy to copy without the price of ordering their product.

http://www.sideplanting.com/gallery.asp

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I will be taking some ideas from these 2 websites for combos this year !

I could never do a combo container! It was either one plant took way off and the rest 'subsist' or all would go stale!
Thanks for the two links, threedogsmom! I just had a brief look and they looked very beautiful! I've book-marked the sites already and will definitely return to scrutinize!
Last fall, I started a "succulent dish". I posted a recent photo of it in the Succulent forum and got good words from other members! :-)
Here's the link to that post, should you be interested.

Xuan

Here is a link that might be useful: My succulent dish